Näringslivets Internationella Råd

What Näringslivets Internationella Råd does

Näringslivets Internationella Råd (NIR), trading as the International Council of Swedish Industry, is a Swedish member-based non-profit organisation founded in 1960 and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. NIR operates as a convening platform that improves business conditions for Swedish companies in complex international markets — primarily OECD/DAC (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development / Development Assistance Committee) countries — by promoting sustainable business practices, workplace cooperation, and dialogue. Its members comprise nine of Sweden's largest exporting companies (Scania, Volvo Group, Ericsson, Atlas Copco, Electrolux, Epiroc, Saab, Tetra Pak, Boliden, Siemens Energy, Hitachi Energy, SKF) plus Swedish financial institutions (SEB, SEK, EKN, Investor AB).

NIR delivers its mission through three core programmes: (1) the Swedish Workplace Programme (SWP), a joint initiative with the IF Metall trade union that applies a six-step methodology to establish workplace committees, train shop stewards, and facilitate management-employee dialogue at 600+ workplaces across Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia; (2) the Sustainability Impact Accelerator (SIA), funded by Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) and delivered with Team Sweden, which provides targeted capacity development to sustainable infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, Colombia, Laos, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia; and (3) the Responsibility and Sustainability in Mining (MARS) programme, focused on environmental and human rights risks for transition minerals in Latin America. The methodology is human-facilitation-led — there is no proprietary software platform; delivery occurs through regional programme coordinators based in Bogotá, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and Hanoi.

The revenue model combines recurring membership fees from Swedish exporters and financial institutions with Sida grants for development cooperation activities (SWP and SIA). The Swedish Workplace Programme is provided free of charge to partner companies in programme countries because it is grant-funded. NIR celebrated 65 years of operation in 2025 and operates within Sweden's official development cooperation architecture in collaboration with Team Sweden, Business Sweden, Swedish embassies, and trade unions in partner countries (NUMSA in South Africa, Amalgamated Union of Kenyan Metal Workers in Kenya).

Name

Näringslivets Internationella Råd

Legal name

The International Council of Swedish Industry (Näringslivets Internationella Råd)

Website

https://nir.se

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Näringslivets Internationella Råd (NIR) is a Swedish member-based non-profit, founded in 1960, that improves business conditions for Sweden's largest exporters in complex OECD/DAC markets by facilitating workplace dialogue, sustainable infrastructure capacity development, and responsible mining programmes funded by Sida and member subscriptions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Business Development and Trade Facilitation Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable & Responsible Supply Chain (ESG, Scope 3) (BPAHAHAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Permitting, Environmental & Stakeholder Engagement (EIA/ESIA, Community Relations) (EUAMAAAB), Incentives, Grants & Program Administration (Auctions, Tenders, IRA/ITC/PTC Advisory) (EUAMAAAJ), Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels (BPADANAB), ESG Governance, Sustainability Reporting & Assurance Advisory (BPAHAFAJ), Supply Chain Sustainability & Responsible Sourcing (SMETA, supplier ESG) (EUAHAJAE)

Keywords

• Sustainable business facilitation
• Workplace dialogue programs
• Development cooperation advisory
• Sustainable infrastructure consulting
• Responsible mining governance

Headquarters

HQ city

Stockholm

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: NIR operates as a member-based organization with membership fees from Swedish exporting companies and financial institutions.
2. Sida funding: The Swedish Workplace Programme and Sustainability Impact Accelerator are funded by Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) for development cooperation activities in OECD/DAC countries.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

NIR operates as a member-based non-profit organization that improves business conditions in complex markets by promoting sustainability. Its core offerings are three programmes: the Swedish Workplace Programme (SWP) facilitating workplace dialogue between management and employees in OECD/DAC countries; the Sustainability Impact Accelerator (SIA) delivering capacity development for sustainable infrastructure projects aligned with Agenda 2030; and the Responsibility and Sustainability in Mining (MARS) programme addressing environmental and human rights risks in Latin American transition minerals. These programmes are delivered through regional Sustainable Business Platforms, workplace committees, and partnerships with trade unions and government agencies.

Product overview

NIR operates as a platform organization offering three main programmatic products: the Swedish Workplace Programme (SWP), the Sustainability Impact Accelerator (SIA), and the Responsibility and Sustainability in Mining (MARS) programme. SWP uses a structured six-step methodology to facilitate workplace dialogue and cooperation between management and employees, delivered through regional Sustainable Business Platforms (SBPs) and workplace-level interventions. SIA provides capacity development for sustainable infrastructure projects. NIR does not offer a traditional software product but rather facilitation services, training programmes, and advisory support for sustainable business practices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Swedish Workplace Programme (SWP): Promotes workplace dialogue through partnerships between management and employees in OECD/DAC countries. Joint programme between NIR and IF Metall.
• Sustainability Impact Accelerator (SIA)
• Responsibility and Sustainability in Mining (MARS)

Products and services

• Swedish Workplace Programme (SWP) A joint programme between NIR and IF Metall (the Metal and Industrial Workers Union) that promotes workplace dialogue through partnerships between management and employees in OECD/DAC countries. Uses a structured six-step approach to facilitate dialogue and cooperation at the workplace level, including establishing workplace committees, identifying challenges, creating action plans, implementation, and sharing best practices. Designed to be replicable across different workplace contexts.
• Sustainability Impact Accelerator (SIA) Provides targeted capacity development to support sustainable investments in infrastructure projects aligned with the local 2030 Agenda in OECD/DAC countries. A cooperation between NIR and Team Sweden, funded by Sida. Accelerates investments in sustainable infrastructure by providing project-specific training and capacity development to partners in low- and middle-income countries, including projects such as a floating solar initiative with Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited.
• Responsibility and Sustainability in Mining (MARS) A programme addressing environmental and human rights risks in mining. Latin America is a key region for transition minerals, and the programme aims to secure minerals for the green transition by addressing environmental and human rights risks, co-created by business, civil society, and government.

Quantifiable outcome

• 600 different workplaces engaged over 14 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.

• Dotacalle S.A.S.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 April 2022Partnership in Colombia through alliance with Securitas to promote sustainable values within the supply chain.
• HemoCue South AfricaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 March 2021Partnership focused on skills development, workplace cooperation, and holistic employee wellness.
• EpirocmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2021Partnership in Colombia under social responsibility initiatives for employees, customers, and suppliers.
• Hitachi ABB Power Grids (Hitachi Energy)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2021Partnership in Vietnam focused on diversity and inclusion, promoting inclusive dialogue where everyone can make their voices heard.
• SKF Latin TrademajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 January 2021Partnership in Colombia focused on gender equality and workplace cooperation, supporting ESG initiatives.
• Securitas ColombiamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 September 2020First Latin American partnership with Securitas Colombia office in Bogotá for sustainable business collaboration. Securitas is a major employer in Colombia.
• Swedish Embassy ColombiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2020Collaboration with Swedish Embassy in Colombia for COVID-19 response sessions and sustainable business platforms.
• IF MetallcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Metal and Industrial workers union partners with NIR in the Swedish Workplace Programme, providing expertise and experience in the Swedish Model and Social dialogue as a proven method for achieving decent work. IF Metall represents approximately 300,000 blue-collar workers in Swedish manufacturing.
• Team SwedencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeam Sweden is a collaboration between Swedish government, agencies, and the private sector for international promotion. NIR partners with Team Sweden for the Sustainability Impact Accelerator and country-level engagement.
• National Union of Metalworkers South Africa (NUMSA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSWP partners with NUMSA in South Africa to prepare and capacitate union representatives to conduct effective workplace dialogue.
• Amalgamated Union of Kenyan Metal WorkersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSWP partners with this union in Kenya to support workplace cooperation and union capacity building.
• Scania East AfricamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for workplace cooperation in Kenya, sharing journey to become social partners at the workplace.
• Business SwedencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for international market support and Swedish business promotion through Team Sweden framework.
• Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner in Uganda for floating solar project under Sustainability Impact Accelerator.
• Fundación Ideas para la Paz (FIP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerColombian think-tank collaborated on workplace cooperation study 'Workplace Cooperation: Finding Practical Solutions in the Colombian Context'.
• National Board of Trade (Kommerskollegium)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Open Trade Gate Sweden to assist exporters from developing countries with trade policy information.
• IMM (Institute for Mutual Development)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-arranged anti-corruption webinar with NIR featuring expert speaker José R Hernandez.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Business Sweden: Sweden's official trade and investment promotion agency, jointly owned by the Swedish government and the private sector. Business Sweden and NIR are both member-supported, government-linked organisations that help Swedish companies operate and grow in international markets, and they actively co-deliver through the Team Sweden framework.
• WBCSD (World Business Council for Sustainable Development): A CEO-led association of over 200 multinationals working on business sustainability, with members that overlap heavily with NIR (e.g., Volvo, Hitachi Energy, Electrolux). WBCSD is a direct peer as a member-based, multinational-anchored platform driving sustainable business practices globally.
• BSR (Business for Social Responsibility): A global nonprofit consultancy helping companies develop sustainable strategies across supply chains, human rights, and climate. BSR is a direct peer in advising multinationals on responsible supply chains and worker rights in emerging markets, comparable to NIR's SWP and SIA offerings.

Others

• Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency): Sida is Sweden's government development agency and NIR's primary funder for both the Swedish Workplace Programme and the Sustainability Impact Accelerator. Although not a direct competitor, Sida is the most strategically aligned counterparty and effectively the policy anchor that shapes NIR's programme mandate.

Broad incumbents

• Swedish Institute: A Swedish government agency that promotes Sweden, culture, education, and international exchange. Like NIR, it operates as a Sweden-platform organisation engaging international stakeholders, but with a much broader cultural and public-diplomacy remit rather than workplace and ESG delivery.
• IFC (International Finance Corporation): The World Bank Group's private-sector development finance arm, offering ESG advisory, supply-chain sustainability programmes, and investment in emerging markets. IFC is a broader incumbent that overlaps with NIR's Sustainability Impact Accelerator work on bankable, sustainable infrastructure in OECD/DAC countries.
• BII (British International Investment): The UK's development finance institution, investing in businesses in Africa and South Asia with a strong ESG and supply-chain agenda. BII is comparable to NIR's SIA programme as a country-level capacity and investment vehicle, though operating at much greater capital scale.
• DEG (Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft): German development finance institution providing financing and advisory for private-sector investment in developing countries. DEG is functionally analogous to Sida's relationship with NIR but at much larger scale, operating as a broad incumbent in the same ESG/sustainable-investment ecosystem.
• UN Global Compact: The UN's largest corporate sustainability initiative, asking companies to align operations with ten principles on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. NIR explicitly aligns its work to UN frameworks (UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, Agenda 2030), making UNGC a thematic peer in shaping the standards NIR helps members operationalise.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-council-of-swedish-industry-nir

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Näringslivets Internationella Råd