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The International Council of Swedish Industry

Improving business conditions in complex markets

Our journey to promote sustainable business began 60 years ago. Promoting economically, socially and environmentally sustainable business is more important than ever.

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Annual Report
2024

In a changing landscape we are being the pioneering and purpose driven non-profit organisation we set out to be.
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Highlights

Our Programmes

Swedish Workplace Programme

The Swedish Workplace Programme (SWP) promotes workplace dialogue through partnerships between management and employees in OECD/DAC countries. The programme is a cooperation between NIR and IF Metall (the Metal and Industrial Workers Union).
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Sustainability Impact Accelerator

The Sustainability Impact Accelerator (SIA) provides targeted capacity development in support of sustainable investments in projects that align with the local 2030 Agenda in OECD/DAC countries. The programme is a cooperation between NIR and Team Sweden.
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Responsibility and Sustainability in Latin American Mining

Latin America is a key region for transition minerals. The programme aim to secure minerals for the green transition by addressing environmental and human rights risks and is co-created by business, civil society and government
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Programme Highlight

Promoting connectivity - The Standard Gauge Railway in Tanzania

This is one of the projects of the  Sustainability Impact Accelerator. The accelerator develops sustainability of projects to align with the 2030 Agenda in OECD/DAC countries.  

About the Accelerator

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NIR is a member-based non-profit organisation which improves business conditions in complex markets by promoting sustainability. Our members represent some of Sweden’s largest exporting companies and the financial sector. NIR has been operating as a nexus between aid and trade since 1960, interacting with a multitude of stakeholders from governments, agencies and business to academia and NGOs in Sweden and partner countries.
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Want to know more about NIR? Do not hesitate to contact us. Our main office is in Stockholm, Sweden. Regional programme coordinators work out of Kenya, South Africa, Colombia and Vietnam.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This executive summary presents the findings from the study “Workplace Cooperation: Finding Practical Solutions in the Colombian Context,” conducted by the Fundación Ideas para la Paz (FIP). The study evaluates the added value of the Swedish Workplace Programme (SWP) dialogue and cooperation model within the Colombian labor market.

Throughout 2022, FIP dedicated efforts to thoroughly understand the SWP model, including its concept, foundations, implementation process, and contributions to the labor market. In 2023, FIP documented the experiences of three companies—SKF Latin Trade, Securitas, and Epiroc—that implemented the SWP model in practice. The study also included face-to-face workshops to gather feedback from various stakeholders including civil society, businesses, government, academia, and international cooperation. The findings suggest that the SWP model has the potential to strengthen labor relations, contribute to decent work, and resolve workplace conflicts in Colombia.

The case studies highlight the importance of collaboration between employers and workers to promote decent work and sustainable development in Colombia. They demonstrate that social dialogue facilitates worker participation in labor decision-making, enhances their representativeness, and promotes cooperation between employers and employees, thus improving labor relations and contributing to the well-being of both employees and companies.

The SWP model is particularly noted for improving workplace relationships and commitment to jointly finding solutions to challenges faced by workers and the company. It empowers workers, enhances leadership, and helps integrate business policies into daily practices, reducing the initial disconnect between management objectives and the day-to-day realities of workers. The study also highlights the model’s capacity to manage conflicts constructively, transforming the perception of conflict as an opportunity for improvement. Structured dialogues deepen understanding of the underlying causes of conflicts, fostering empathy and facilitating effective resolution. This promotes a culture of collaboration and a democratic approach to decision-making, building trust.

Additionally, the model is recognized for enabling workers to make decisions, identify challenges, and propose solutions that impact their well-being, and bridging gender gaps in the workplace. Its inclusive approach adapts to the unique needs and characteristics of each company, promoting a stronger and more diverse organizational culture. It also drives good work performance and productivity by involving workers in problem identification and resolution, as well as in implementing improvements and efficiently identifying ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) risks for companies.

The document identifies the SWP model’s added value in empowering direct interaction among labor stakeholders in Colombia, overcoming historical or cultural reservations, and contributing to the development of stronger labor relations and improved workplace environments in the country.

Challenges and opportunities of the model are also discussed. The study points out the importance of addressing value chain risks, particularly in a global context where corporate clients demand decent work processes and due diligence. It emphasizes the need to integrate SMEs into this process and use anchor companies as drivers of social dialogue throughout the value chain. The role of the state in social dialogue and the importance of highlighting the benefits of the model for adoption across various business sectors are discussed.

The opportunities of the model include raising awareness of human rights in the workplace in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGP), to strengthen due diligence, manage risks, promote long-term sustainability, and improve organizational culture. The document also underscores the importance of involving workers in change processes, leveraging their insights for continuous improvement of processes, and fostering innovation opportunities. Lastly, it suggests replicating the model in value chains to address work environment risks and gender biases, involving suppliers and contractors, and integrating the model into corporate policies to strengthen existing programs and transform organizational culture towards resource efficiency and effective participation of employers and workers.