Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation

The Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation is a Swedish democracy foundation closely linked to the Moderate Party, Sweden’s centre-right political party. It was established in 1994 and takes its name from Jarl Hjalmarson, a former chairman of the Moderate Party. The foundation’s work is directed toward strengthening democratic political parties and political participation through educational and organisational programmes rather than through consumer products or commercial services. Its principal activity is training politicians who are active in the Moderate Party’s sister parties in other countries. The foundation places particular emphasis on women and young people involved in politics. Its programmes address practical and institutional questions concerning how a democratic political party operates, including the organisation of parties and the responsibilities associated with political participation. The available reference description does not identify a fixed catalogue of programmes, nor does it provide financial information, staffing levels, or a detailed account of individual country projects. The foundation initially concentrated on the newly independent Baltic states after its creation. Its geographical work later extended across Eastern Europe and the countries of the Balkans, where it considers political aid to be especially useful. At earlier stages, it also conducted activities in parts of Africa and Latin America, although those regions are not described as its principal current operating area. The organisation is institutionally connected to Sweden’s Moderate Party but operates as a democracy foundation with an international educational and political-development mission. It is also a member of the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, the official foundation and think tank of the European People’s Party. This affiliation places the foundation within a broader European centre-right political network. Peter Egardt is identified as chairman of the board. Previous chairmen named in the available reference material include Göran Lennmarker, a former member of the Swedish Parliament; Gunnar Hökmark, a former Member of the European Parliament; and Margaretha af Ugglas, a former Swedish foreign minister. Carl Bildt, who served as Sweden’s prime minister and foreign minister, is identified as honorary chairman. No current executive director, budget, legal structure, headquarters address, or official website URL is supplied in the available material.

The Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation was founded in Sweden in 1994 as a democracy foundation associated with the Moderate Party. Its establishment followed the political changes in Europe after the end of the Cold War, and its first principal area of engagement was the newly independent Baltic states. The foundation was named in honour of Jarl Hjalmarson, a former chairman of the Moderate Party. From its initial Baltic focus, the foundation developed a wider international programme. Its continuing geographical emphasis has been Eastern Europe and the Balkans, while earlier activities also took place in Africa and Latin America. The foundation directs its assistance toward countries and political environments where it considers democratic party-building support to be most useful. The organisation’s work is primarily educational. It trains politicians belonging to sister parties of the Swedish Moderate Party and discusses practical issues related to the operation of democratic political parties. Women and young people active in politics are identified as particular target groups. The available reference material does not specify the names, dates, budgets, or outcomes of individual programmes, but describes the overall approach as political training and democratic capacity building. The foundation’s leadership has included several prominent Swedish political figures. Peter Egardt is identified as chairman of the board. Earlier chairmen include Göran Lennmarker, Gunnar Hökmark, and Margaretha af Ugglas. Carl Bildt, a former Swedish prime minister and foreign minister, is identified as honorary chairman. The foundation is also a member of the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, the European People’s Party’s official foundation and think tank, linking it to a wider European centre-right institutional network.

• 1994

  Foundation established

  [1]Jarl Hjalmarson Foundationen.wikipedia.org

  The Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation was founded as a Swedish democracy foundation closely linked to the Moderate Party.

• 1994

  Initial focus on the Baltic states

  [1]Jarl Hjalmarson Foundationen.wikipedia.org

  The foundation initially directed its support toward the newly independent Baltic states.

• Geographical programme broadened

  [1]Jarl Hjalmarson Foundationen.wikipedia.org

  The foundation expanded its principal operating focus to Eastern Europe and the Balkans, while earlier work also included Africa and Latin America.

• Affiliation with the Wilfried Martens Centre

  [1]Jarl Hjalmarson Foundationen.wikipedia.org

  The foundation became a member of the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, the official foundation and think tank of the European People’s Party.

A Swedish centre-right democracy foundation focused on international political education, party development, and support for women and young politicians in partner parties.

• Democracy education

  Political-party training programmes

  Educational and capacity-building activities for politicians active in parties that are sister parties of the Swedish Moderate Party. The programmes address practical and institutional questions about how democratic political parties are organised and operated.

• Political participation

  Women and youth political programmes

  The foundation gives particular attention to women and young people engaged in politics. These activities form part of its broader effort to develop political skills and strengthen participation within democratic parties in partner countries.

• Democracy support

  International democracy education

  International educational work directed toward countries where the foundation considers political aid most useful. Current emphasis is placed on Eastern Europe and the Balkans, following earlier work in the Baltic states, Africa, and Latin America.

1. 1Jarl Hjalmarson Foundationen.wikipedia.org