Lund, 9 April 2025 — The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI) welcomes the Swedish Government’s decision to provide a grant of 10 million SEK to secure the immediate future of the Institute’s Human Rights Library—one of the world’s most important collections of resources on human rights and international law.
“This is a much-needed lifeline,” said Peter Lundberg, Executive Director of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute. “We are deeply grateful to the Swedish Government for stepping in at a critical moment. The support provides immediate relief, but unfortunately it does not resolve the long-term financial uncertainty the library has faced for years.”
The grant, announced as part of the spring amending budget, marks the first time RWI has received direct support from the Ministry of Education—a milestone in the Institute’s 40-year history of research, education, and cooperation in some of the world’s most fragile contexts.
“We see this decision as an important first step. We have already signaled to the Minister for Education that we hope to continue this dialogue ahead of the autumn budget process,” the Executive Director added.
A Call for Broader Support
While welcoming the government’s commitment, RWI emphasizes that the library and the Institute’s research activities are inseparably linked. Together, they form the foundation of RWI’s global work on accountability and justice through the advancement of human rights standards and principles.
In addition to continued public support, the Institute is also calling on the private sector, philanthropic foundations, and individuals to join in safeguarding this global public good.
“The Swedish Government’s recognition of the library sends a strong signal to others: this is a trusted, high-impact institution worth investing in,” said the Executive Director. “We invite all who believe in the transformative power of education, knowledge, and cooperation to join us.”
About the Library
The RWI Human Rights Library is the largest of its kind in the Nordic region and serves researchers, students, civil servants, and human rights defenders around the world. It is a unique repository of legal literature, international documents, and research material spanning decades of work on human rights and humanitarian law.
From Ukraine to Zimbabwe to Indonesia, the library supports RWI’s vision to contribute to just and inclusive societies that respect human rights and international humanitarian law.
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About the Raoul Wallenberg Institute
The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law was founded in 1984 in honor of Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg. For 41 years, RWI has been at the forefront of promoting human rights and international humanitarian law through research, education, training, convening, and capacity building. Headquartered in Lund, Sweden, with regional offices in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, RWI works with governments, academic institutions, multilateral organizations, and other international partners to build “Just and inclusive societies that respect human rights and international humanitarian law”.
For more information, visit https://rwi.lu.se/.
Contact Information
Jennifer Jun, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Communications
Email: jennifer.jun@rwi.lu.se