Editing Timbro (section)

== Funding and international affiliations ==

Since the 1980s, Timbro has maintained a close collaboration with the U.S.-based organisation '''Atlas Network''', a global alliance of market-liberal think tanks. This collaboration has included ideological exchange, joint conferences, and scholarship programmes. According to investigations by [https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagens_ETC ''Dagens ETC''] and [https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermilj%C3%B6bloggen ''Supermiljöbloggen''], Timbro received funding via Atlas Network from, among others, the American oil company [[ExxonMobil|'''ExxonMobil''']]. Documents reviewed by these sources show that several hundred thousand SEK were funnelled to Timbro to support activities aimed at influencing public debate in Sweden, particularly regarding environmental and climate issues. This included the production of the newsletter ''Ekvilibrium'', which published critical commentary on climate policy and frequently cited experts affiliated with Atlas Network.<ref name="etc-exxon">[https://www.etc.se/story/dokumenten-som-bevisar-timbros-band-till-oljejaetten-5oue6yp5 Dagens ETC: ''Dokumenten som bevisar Timbros band till oljejätten''], published 26 June 2024.</ref>

Mattias Bengtsson, who served as Timbro's CEO between 2000 and 2004, has confirmed in interviews that he held several meetings with ExxonMobil representatives, and that Timbro during his tenure maintained a climate-sceptical editorial stance regardless of financial backing.<ref name="etc-bengtsson">[https://www.etc.se/inrikes/tidigare-timbro-chefen-jag-ville-ta-emot-mer-pengar-fraan-atlas Dagens ETC: ''Tidigare Timbro-chefen: Jag ville ta emot mer pengar från Atlas''], published 26 June 2024.</ref> Timbro’s relationship with the Atlas Network has also facilitated scholarships for Swedish politicians and commentators to attend U.S.-based institutions affiliated with Atlas. Several alumni from Timbro’s youth programme, ''Sture Academy'', have received such scholarships to the '''Institute for Humane Studies''', funded by companies linked to the fossil fuel industry.

In addition to these connections, Timbro has also received funding from the pharmaceutical sector. According to Bengtsson, around two million SEK were received from '''Pfizer''' in the early 2000s to establish a sub-division called '''Timbro Health''', which promoted market-based reforms within Sweden’s healthcare sector.<ref name="etc-bengtsson" />