In Sweden, the aid organization Hepatica, linked to the Sweden Democrats, is set to receive a substantial grant of 23 million SEK from Sida, despite previously being denied funds due to serious concerns regarding its risk level. Dagens Nyheter's investigation reveals that this decision has involved extensive discussions among Sida officials, including managers, lawyers, and controllers, who have repeatedly requested Hepatica to provide necessary documentation to support its application. However, as of now, the 2024 budget revision for Hepatica has yet to be approved, leading to ongoing uncertainty.

The situation escalated when, at the end of February, Sida was on the brink of approving the funding when the Swedish government unexpectedly announced that Sida's director-general, Jakob Granit, was to be removed from his position immediately. This decision delayed the approval process further, prompting Björn Söder, the chairman of Hepatica and a member of the Swedish parliament, to react strongly. In an emotional email sent in the early hours, Söder expressed his dissatisfaction with the bureaucratic red tape that was hindering the much-needed support for his organization, illustrating the tension between political entities and the bureaucracy in public funding.

Söder's outburst not only reflects concerns over the operational capacity of Hepatica but also encapsulates the broader implications of political involvement in public aid funding. This funding is critical for Hepatica, given its significant support from the Sweden Democrats and its potential impact on party operations and outreach. As such, the resolution of this funding issue is likely to have ramifications beyond just Hepatica, signaling the relationship dynamics between political parties and public funding agencies in Sweden.