Swedwatch
Safeguarding human rights and environment in business
Swedwatch is an independent, non-profit research organization dedicated to promoting responsible business practices and empowering rights holders. We achieve this by exposing the human and environmental impacts of unsustainable business operations and fostering collaboration between stakeholders to drive meaningful change.
Our work in brief
Promoting sustainable business conduct by:
Research is at our core. Over the years, we’ve conducted research in nearly 50 countries and published more than 100 publications, focusing on sectors and regions high risk of human rights and environmental harm. Explore our publications.
Through trainings, seminars, roundtables, and other initiatives designed for knowledge sharing, we empower duty bearers to fulfill their obligations and support rights holders in claiming their rights.
Grounded in research and collaboration with civil society, we advocate for change by amplifying rights holders’ voices. Through dialogues, engagement with key stakeholders, media, and campaigns, we push duty bearers toward more sustainable policy- and practice changes.
Guided by three core principles:
✔️Grounded in independent and evidence-based research.
✔️ Driven by the needs of those most affected.
✔️ Rooted in participation with civil society and rightsholders.
Driven by three long-term goals:
1️⃣ Responsible management and use of natural resources.
2️⃣ Sustainable and equitable global value chains.
3️⃣ Meaningful participation and an expanded civic space.
Our baseline
Building on international agreements
Swedwatch’s work is rooted in international human rights and environmental law, alongside key global frameworks, including:
- UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs)
- OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
- The Paris Agreement
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the 2030 Agenda
- Legislation on human rights due diligence, including the EU Directive CSDDD
Our history
The Swedwatch story
For 20 years, we have exposed human rights and envirnmental harms across factories, plantations, mines, and in various sectors, including extractives, energy, textiles, and agiculture. Key milestones along the way 👉🏼.
2003
Foundation
Founded by six organizations — Act Church of Sweden, Diakonia, Solidarity Sweden-Latin America, The Groups of Africa, FairAction, and Swedish Society for Nature Conservation — to serve as a research watchdog investigating corporate environmental and human rights violations.
2011
2013
Independence
2021
Report no 100
In 2021, we launched our 100th report, Murky Waters, a comprehensive investigation into the human rights and environmental impacts of rubber production in Liberia. Over the past few years, our publication portfolio has expanded to include not only detailed reports but also concise briefings and advocacy policy papers. Additionally, the organisation has broadened its focus from Swedish companies to a global scope.
2023
20 years of advocacy
Creating space for dialogue between rightsholders and duty-bearers is central to our work. Our 20th anniversary event brought together people from policy and business, along with representatives from rightsholders and communities around the world, to discuss the need for safeguarding human rights defenders.
2023
Binding regulations
For years, Swedwatch has advocated for turning voluntary guidelines on business and human rights into binding regulations. In 2023, a political agreement on the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) was finally reached. Although the directive text is weakened compared to international frameworks and still under discussion, it marked a significant milestone.
Member organisations, partners and networks
Expanding our reach through member organisations
Swedwatch has six member organisations. Many work with partner organisations in countries and regions where Swedwatch also focuses its research and impact goals. This underpins efforts by Swedwatch to ensure project and activity relevance, dialogue and capacity development.
Afrikagrupperna
The Africa Groups of Sweden is a solidarity organisation that works together with partner organisations in Southern Africa and undertakes information and advocacy work in Sweden.
Latinamerikagrupperna
Solidarity Sweden-Latin America collaborates with Latin American popular movements to build a just, sustainable society and fair resource distribution. Its partners include smallholders, agricultural workers, and indigenous groups from the farmers cooperation Via Campesina.
Svenska kyrkan
Act Church of Sweden primarily prioritises cases concerning the right to food and water, the situation in conflict zones, respect for human rights and the situation of migrant workers. It has partner organisations in around 25 countries in Central and South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Diakonia
Diakonia partners with 350 local organizations across 25–30 countries, empowering people to improve their lives and drive change. Their focus includes human rights, democracy, gender justice, humanitarian aid, resilience, and conflict prevention.
Natruskyddsföreningen
The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation works on environmental issues, with a focus mainly on forests, agriculture, climate, marine ecosystems and fishing, plus environmental toxins.
Fair Action
Fair Action is a nonprofit promoting fair trade by monitoring Swedish companies’ dealings with low-income countries. They run campaigns and consumer programs to push for ethical, sustainable business practices.
Partners and networks around the globe
Collaboration with partners worldwide is fundamental to our work, grounded in civil society participation and driven by the needs of those most affected. We also actively engage in several networks, advocating together for change. The map shows a selection of current partners and network collaborations across the globe.
Meet our team
Governance
Guided by a dedicated board
Board members
- Maria Larsson (Chair), Senior Editor at Liv Journalistik
- Sofia Stenfeldt (Vice-chair), Vice President at Qlok
- Marja Wolpher, Acting Head of Policy Unit, International Department, at the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation
- Amira Malik Miller, Policy Advisor at Act Church of Sweden
- Maria Bard, Senior Manager Advocacy and Campaigns Scandinavia, at the ONE Campaign
- Mattias Brunander, Secretary General at Diakonia
- Rasmus Kløcker Larsen (alternate), Senior Research Fellow at Stockholm Environment Institute
- Radu Mares (alternate), Associate Professor at Raoul Wallenberg Institute