The Swedish government spent over eight million kronor on a campaign aimed at getting 200 Afghan nationals to return voluntarily to Afghanistan. However, not a single person has taken the bait so far. Despite the significant financial backing and the promise of assistance for a fresh start in the Taliban-ruled nation, the initiative has failed to secure a single participant to date.
Known as “Zindagi Taza,” the project has been operational since 2025. It was officially presented under the banner of the international organization Seefar. The government’s stated objective for the program was to reach 2,000 Afghans currently living in Sweden and successfully persuade at least 200 of them to return voluntarily. With only two months left before the program concludes, reports from Aftonbladet indicate that no individuals have signed up for the return scheme.
Migration Minister Johan Forssell, when asked about the lack of interest, told Aftonbladet that he believes it is premature to judge the program’s effectiveness before it officially wraps up. According to Forssell, the campaign is specifically targeted at Afghan nationals who are currently ineligible for deportation. The government’s primary goal in launching the initiative was to address the growing challenge of individuals going underground to evade contact with Swedish authorities.
