SSR is today an important factor in international programmes for development assistance, security cooperation and the promotion of democracy. The Folke Bernadotte Academy's work on SSR is founded on the understanding that a reformed security sector is crucial in creating conditions for sustainable peace, democracy and development. Therefore, SSR should be viewed and implemented in a holistic manner. The SSR Programme at the Folke Bernadotte Academy aims to contribute to SSR and the transformation of security institutions, through facilitating these insitutions in taking on more efficient, legitimate and accountable roles in society.  Efforts include contributing to civilian oversight of the security sector. Gender and human rights are important principles for the implementation of all contributions.

The programme's SSR work builds on the important principle of adapting programs to the unique context through analysing the specific needs of each country. Local ownership and commitment is crucial and SSR initiatives are always carried out in close cooperation with relevant partners in the host country. A whole-of-government approach to SSR is promoted through cooperation with several agencies, organisations and missions.

SSR activities include:

• Education, capacity building and training on SSR, targeting both practitioners and policy makers. The FBA offers not only the regular SSR courses but also training and lectures especially adapted to the needs and objectives of missions, authorities and institutions, both in Sweden and internationally.
• Coordination of SSR issues and activities among national and international stakeholders. These activities include the facilitation of national coordination processes at different levels as well as the participation in international institutions for consultation on SSR issues and training.
• Development of tools and methodologies to improve the delivery of Security Sector Reform. For instance, the FBA has developed a tool for SSR needs assessment, which can be used in background studies and preparations for SSR programming.
• Contributions to SSR policy discussions. The FBA contributes actively to the development of appropriate response to SSR issues and challenges requiring fresh, effective solutions;
• Operative support and contributions to SSR missions and initiatives. FBA can contribute not only through capacity building but also through operative support within the framework of SSR missions and projects. For instance, the FBA has received a task in several Swedish development cooperation strategies to contribute to capacity development and operative initiatives within SSR in the next few years

Besides this, the Folke Bernadotte Academy seconds Swedish staff to a large number of missions, of which several work with SSR.

The Folke Bernadotte Academy is also a member of the international Association for Security Sector Reform Education and Training, ASSET.