Forumciv's Cringe-Worthy Protest Song Against the Government

The aid organization Forumciv has taken to Instagram to voice its discontent with the government. Literally. And poorly. Using your tax money.

We old-timers remember the attempt by Immigration Minister Birgit Friggebo to calm tensions at a meeting in Rinkeby Folkets hus by encouraging a sing-along of “We Shall Overcome.” Just the thought of that moment gives me chills of second-hand embarrassment.

I didn't think political musical performances could get more embarrassing.

I was wrong.

Forumciv, an aid organization funded by tax money, has posted a protest song against the government on Instagram. Outgoing Secretary-General Anna Stenvinkel and incoming interim Britt-Louise Andersson dance and sing lines like:

“They silence us who scrutinize with withdrawn support called transparency, or was that how it went?”

The only person who might genuinely enjoy the performance is probably Aid Minister Benjamin Dousa (M). A better argument for reducing funding to Forumciv has never been heard.

The organization is a peculiar entity, a sort of mini-Sida that survives by distributing Sida funds to its own member organizations. All are called civil society organizations, even though most rely on grants from the state, regions, and municipalities.

Forumciv only received 600,000 kronor in membership fees in 2023, but nearly 300 million kronor from Sida to pass on to projects run by various associations.

The government is reducing support for intermediaries like Forumciv, Olof Palme International Center, and Act Svenska kyrkan. Instead, more organizations will apply for funds and sign agreements directly with Sida.

Tax money is unlikely to dry up, even if the flow decreases.

No wonder Forumciv is upset. But the aid budget is not meant to support Swedish officials who enjoy traveling or at least having online meetings with people in poorer countries. It is meant to help those affected by war and natural disasters and create safer conditions—such as through education and healthcare—in countries where there are prospects for democratic development.

The government has also raised the requirement for self-financing for organizations running aid projects, from 5 to 15 percent. This is tough for many who haven't exerted themselves to raise funds. But even 15 percent self-financing is quite little to be considered a civil society. Ideally, non-governmental organizations should survive on donations and membership fees from individuals and companies.

But tax money is unlikely to dry up, even if the flow decreases.

Until the end of 2023, intermediaries, the aid giants, received a special grant from Sida for what was called information and communication efforts. The money was largely used in opinion campaigns against sitting governments, for higher aid.

The Kristersson government removed the grant, which should never have existed.

But that hasn't stopped the grant establishment from continuing to fight against the government. Every debate editor has received an inbox full of articles, which are admittedly quite cheap to produce—unless the wording is to be group-worked long and well by several officials.

And now we have also been graced with the song effort from Forumciv, where the artists receive a decent salary for their trouble. Secretary-General Anna Stenvinkel earns almost 75,000 kronor a month.

Such is idealism.