Religious communities

Our society has a vast religious diversity, partly as a result of migration in recent decades and growing internationalisation. One starting point for the state-church reform, which took effect on 1 January 2000, was more equal treatment of different religious communities. State financial support for religious communities is to be seen as part of these efforts. This support is intended to help to enable religious communities to carry on active long-term religious activities in the form of religious services, pastoral cure, teaching and social services.

State financial support for religious communities is provided as state grants and as assistance in collecting members fees. State financial support is distributed by the Swedish Commission for State Grants to Religious Communities.

In 2000 the Government appointed a special council, the Governments Council for Contacts with Religious Communities, which is chaired by the Minister for Culture. The Council consists of a total of 18 representatives of the State and religious communities. General issues of common interest to the State and the religious communities are discussed within the framework of the Councils activities. The Council is intended to be a forum for continuous contact and exchanges of knowledge and experience. The Council meets 3-4 times each year.