Sweden allocates 1,47 billion Kenyan shilling to support sustainable growth in Kenya

Growing economies in the African countries means increased pressure on the natural resources. Civil society plays a fundamental role to safeguard a sustainable use of the natural resources, in the end gaining the poor people. Sweden has recently decided to allocate 1,47 billion Kenyan shilling to create a platform for the civil society in Kenya to cooperate on advocacy for sustainable growth.

- This increased support to the civil society in Kenya is important to create a sustainable development. The support focuses on local organisations in the towns and at the rural area working with advocacy for sustainable growth, says Ms Annika Jayawardena, Head of Section for Bilateral Development Cooperation with Kenya at the Embassy of Sweden in Nairobi.

Sweden will support the programme with 1,47 billion ksh over a four-year period. Through the programme, to be administered and implemented by the umbrella organisation Pact Kenya, the civil society will be supported to increase its capacity within the natural resources sector. With a joint platform, the cooperation and the organisations will be strengthened thereby increasing possibilities for citizens to increase their participation.

- Kenya has a new constitution, according to which many decisions on natural resources are to be decentralised. This gives the local civil society and different interest groups countrywide a great possibility to widen and deepen the activities within the natural resource sector. Participation has become a right in the new constitution, says Ms Ann Dismorr, Ambassador of Sweden to Kenya.

- Sweden has since long supported the Government of Kenya and the civil society to promote sustainable growth. This support includes improved governance of natural resources such as water, decreased erosion, improved governance of land issues and improved awareness about environmental issues and climate change. Civil society receives support to projects in the environmental sector, but they also have an important role as “watchdogs” as well as for advocacy. This work needs further support, explains Ms Annika Jayawardena.

Last year the growth in the Kenyan economy was 5.6 per cent, and natural resources such as water and land are valuable. There is already a strong civil society and an active private sector in the country. These non-governmental stakeholders complement the governments contributions in environment and climate work, management of natural resources and sustainable growth.

For more information or interviews, please contact Ms Maria Skoglund, Press, Trade and Culture Officer at the Embassy of Sweden, Nairobi +254 (0)20 423 4000, or the Sida Press Officer in Sweden, press@sida.se or +46 (0)8 698 55 55

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