Clowns Without Borders Sweden: Spreading laughter and hope to children in crisis
Since our founding in 1996, we have shared joy and laughter with over 2 million children in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Guided by the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, our work is driven by the belief that every child deserves a better world. We collaborate with professional artists to deliver performances, workshops, and play that inspire and empower those who need it most.
Our approach and methodology
Over the years, we have developed unique methods enabling artists to connect with children across diverse contexts and conditions, leveraging their talents. We place great emphasis on training local staff to co-develop skills and resources that are relevant to their specific environments. This approach fosters trust, open communication, and effective learning, allowing us to make a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.
Global outreach and local impact
We are proud to be part of Clowns Without Borders International, an independent, non-profit organization uniting 13 national chapters. In addition to us in Sweden, the chapters are based in Spain, France, Canada, the USA, Belgium, India, England, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, South Africa, and Brazil, but we operate all over the world. Our global network is dedicated to using play and laughter to alleviate the suffering of all individuals, particularly children, living in crisis areas. Through our collective efforts, we aim to bring moments of joy and respite, providing a crucial emotional outlet and a source of strength in times of need.
Join us in making a difference – no child without a smile!
As we continue to expand our reach and deepen our impact, we invite you to join us in our mission. Together, we can ensure that even in the most vulnerable situations, there is always room for hope, laughter, and a brighter future. If you want to collaborate or learn more about our work, please contact us.
Learning with laughter and play
A method using laughter and play to build trust and increase communication with children and communities through creative facilitation training and performance.
Read more about the Laughter and play methodology and download the manual here.
What Do We Do?
Through an innovative creative facilitation approach, we train local staff in a wide range of contexts to co-develop context-relevant skills and resources that encourage and inspire trust, open communication, and learning from the children and communities they work with. Quote from a participant in Ukraine, just after she danced her way across the circle to receive her certificate after our training:
When I came on the first day, I questioned why this approach was relevant to my work. Now I understand.
We use laughter and play to:
- Increase knowledge and agency within communities.
- Support effective engagement with children, adolescents, and those working with them.
- Facilitate honest feedback from communities for more effective communication.
- Continuosly supporting the well-being and rights of children
Our methodology is:
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Flexible and co-developed: Our approach allows for adaptation to various contexts and challenges, accommodating different demographics.
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Easy to integrate: Designed to seamlessly fit into existing programs.
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Scalable model: Our training model is designed for greater reach and sustainability, enabling us to extend our impact widely.
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Fun for everyone: Engaging for both adults and children, enhances motivation, participation, and communication.
Who do we work with?
Since 2019 our Laughter and Play approach has been successfully integrated into both emergency response and long-term programmes of Psychosocial support, Hygiene Promotion, Gender Equality, and Menstrual Hygiene Management in over 21 countries, including:
Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Mozambique, South Africa, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Central African Republic CAR, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Malawi, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Brazil, Peru, Columbia, and Equaduor.
Our partners are:
- Plan International
- Solidarités International
- Oxfam
- Unicef
- Terre des hommes
- World Vision
- BRAC
- Save the Children
- Care International
And many more local organizations and associations!
