Democracy is in decline around the world: The number of backsliding democracies has never been as high as in the last decade. A complex interplay of factors has influenced the democratic downturn, starting with the 2008 financial crisis as well as push-backs against equality and civil rights. Social media and new communication technologies have exacerbated societal and political polarization, enabling the spread of disinformation and increasing hate speech. The aggression of Russia against Ukraine has highlighted how authoritarian regimes undermine multilateralism and the international order. The Covid-19 pandemic has been used to justify excessive democratic restrictions.

IDEA’s membership of 34 countries from younger & older democracies from the Global South and North offers a useful dialogue platform and implementing partner to find solutions to the various challenges related to democracy at regional, national and municipal level. Such membership is also helpful to build up trust & reduce further polarization of liberal & less liberal democracies.

Promoting democracy is part of the DNA of Switzerland, renowned for its democratic tradition and inclusive culture.

IDEA applies outcome mapping methodology for managing results. It formulated 13 outcome statements aiming at behavior change by its partners in its six workstreams. For example:

1)    Constitution-makers apply increased knowledge and skills to make more informed choices regarding constitutional design and process.

2)    Civil society hold constitution makers accountable, inform the public on constitution-building processes, and promote public participation in the process.

3)    Electoral assistance practitioners provide support, informed by norms, good practices and research in electoral processes. They contextualize norms, practices and research to local conditions.

Risultati principali attesi:   Events, advocacy and trainings in 6 workstreams; Databases, digital platforms and communication products in 6 workstreams & global assessments on quality of democracy; Advisory services, convening dialogues and capacity development at regional, country and municipal level.

Risultati fasi precedenti:  

IDEA was key in bringing the voices of civil society organisations in the Summits for Democracy in 2021 and 2023. Various donor agencies regularly used the publication of IDEA’s database with Democracy Indices by country and related bi-annual publications on the Global State of Democracy (GSoD). 791 news articles in 27 languages referenced the GSoD Initiative and its products.

IDEA supported electoral policymakers as they navigate complex decisions, Covid-19 health risks and resistance for holding elections (including a multimedia report with more than 170 briefs from elections in 131 countries).

IDEA has provided advisory and technical support to electoral management bodies and CSOs worldwide related to improve risk management in elections (e.g. in Botswana, Kenya, Nigeria, The Gambia and Sierra Leone). Through providing comparative information and experience, IDEA has supported countries such as Armenia, Barbados, Belize, Chad, Chile, Mali, Myanmar, Yemen and Armenia, to develop draft constitutions.