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International IDEA
Annual Review 2021

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Message from our Leadership

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Message from the Secretary-General

In 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic continued to put a strain on democracy across the globe. While the world witnessed democratic setbacks in both new and old democracies, democracy also showed its resilience through increased civic activism and the expansion of democratic innovations. 

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Letter from the Chair of the Council of Member States

As a founding member of International IDEA, in 1995, we continue to value the critical work International IDEA undertakes to strengthen democratic institutions worldwide, including in our own Indo-Pacific region. International IDEA has a distinctive role to play in advancing democratic norms, grounded in its diverse cross-regional membership, global presence and world-leading experts. 

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Message from the Secretary-General

In 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic continued to put a strain on democracy across the globe. While the world witnessed democratic setbacks in both new and old democracies, democracy also showed its resilience through increased civic activism and the expansion of democratic innovations. 

In the past year, International IDEA's work on the ground continued to make a difference. In the Gambia, we organized participatory political dialogues to support political parties, civil society and media to develop and implement a Presidential Code of Conduct, contributing to a peaceful presidential election. In Moldova, International IDEA developed the expertise of civil society in social media monitoring. In Chile, Malaysia and Bhutan, we supported parliaments to integrate a gender equality perspective in their legislative work. 

International IDEA also intensified its efforts to respond to the manifold threats to democracy, even in the most difficult circumstances. After the military coup in Myanmar, International IDEA mobilized its global network of experts to continue supporting the democratic actors who are working tirelessly on the future restoration of democracy in Myanmar. 

The reform processes of our regional and country programmes were complemented by our high-quality, evidence-based knowledge products. We launched the third iteration of our flagship publication, the Global State of Democracy Report 2021, which sparked record-breaking levels of interest around the world, with its key message of ‘growing authoritarianism' covered by more than 1,000 media outlets and mentioned directly by US President Joe Biden in his opening remarks at the 2021 Summit for Democracy.

To support the Summit, International IDEA initiated the Global Democracy Coalition, a network of nearly 50 democracy organizations that held more than 40 sessions on topical issues connected to democracy on the margins of the Summit. International IDEA also strengthened its partnership with the European Union through a project that will support the implementation of the democracy commitments made at the Summit, and welcomed Estonia as International IDEA's 34th Member State. 

In this Outcome Report, these and a series of other stories cast light on how International IDEA has enabled democracy defenders around the world to protect and strengthen democracy. These stories are also a small testament to our continuous pledge to support and advance democracy throughout the ‘Year of Action' for democracy in 2022 and beyond.

Kevin Casas-Zamora

Secretary-General

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Letter from the Chair of the Council of Member States

Australia was proud to chair the Council of Member States of International IDEA in 2021.

As a founding member of International IDEA, in 1995, we continue to value the critical work International IDEA undertakes to strengthen democratic institutions worldwide, including in our own Indo-Pacific region. International IDEA has a distinctive role to play in advancing democratic norms, grounded in its diverse cross-regional membership, global presence and world-leading experts. 

We congratulate International IDEA on its successes in 2021. Its voice was influential at a vital time. We commend the important and often courageous work of International IDEA staff in the field. International IDEA's Global State of Democracy Report plays a crucial role in upholding democratic principles by shining a light on the performance of governments. 

Australia is concerned by the erosion of democratic rights and principles seen around the world in recent years. It is clear that democracy is a defining foreign policy issue of our time. It is at times of crisis that democracies are able to show their true strength, with openness, accountability and respect for the human rights of individuals.

Australia remains committed to working with International IDEA and its member states and we wish the incoming Chair of the Council, Canada, all the best in 2022.

Bernard Philip

Australian Ambassador to Sweden

 

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Our Impact

From women's empowerment programme to ballot box in Tanzania
The Global State of Democracy Report 2021: The growth in authoritarianism
Building a violence-free political citizenship for women in Paraguay
Unwelcome no longer: Female local government representatives in Nepal lead with knowledge
Mongolia offers online political finance oversight solutions for political parties
Advancing gender equality through law-making and oversight
Amid electoral tensions, International IDEA facilitates a Code of Conduct in the Gambia
Truth in advertising: A Dutch code for countering false campaigning

As a think-and-do tank with our headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, and with 16 other offices across the world, we create comparative, policy-friendly knowledge products, and provide technical support on issues relating to elections, parliaments, constitution-building, money in politics, and political representation, all under the umbrella of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Learning Together
Working Together
Advancing Together
Learning Together
Working Together
Advancing Together

Learning together – International IDEA produces publications, policy recommendations, databases, knowledge tools and, most recently, podcasts. We assess the performance of democracies around the world through our unique Global State of Democracy Indices and reports, and via our Global Monitor of Covid-19's Impact on Democracy and Human Rights.

Working together – We offer, upon request, assistance for capacity development to specific countries from our local in-country or regional offices in areas such as constitutional design, electoral risk management and political finance oversight solutions.

Advancing together – Our work is a collaborative effort, supported and directed by our 34 Member States, and democracy-building partners. Together, through coalitions and campaigns—such as A Call to Defend Democracy and the Global Democracy Coalition—we set new standards and inspire calls to action for decision makers at all levels, academics and civil society.

From women's empowerment programme to ballot box in Tanzania
The Global State of Democracy Report 2021: The growth in authoritarianism
Uncovering the truth: International IDEA provides expert constitutional analysis of Myanmar
Working with Pathfinders for more inclusive political finance reform
Renewing the principles and practice of electoral assistance
Elections and Covid-19—Building resilience in electoral administration
Covid-19 Global Monitor data features in regional, national plans and policies
Truth in advertising: A Dutch code for countering false campaigning
Building a violence-free political citizenship for women in Paraguay
Unwelcome no longer: Female local government representatives in Nepal lead with knowledge
Mongolia offers online political finance oversight solutions for political parties
Advancing gender equality through law-making and oversight
Amid electoral tensions, International IDEA facilitates a Code of Conduct in the Gambia
Strengthening Moldova's civic capacity for monitoring the integrity of electoral campaigning in social media
Indigenous Peoples unite, advocate for rights in the Philippines
Helping citizens in Fiji hold decision makers to account
Better equipped to restore democracy in Myanmar
Supporting Chile's Constitutional Convention in the process of constitutional negotiations
Promoting gender equality in Somalia's National Independent Electoral Commission
Embracing e-recapitulation technology for Indonesian elections
Tackling election barriers to Arab women's political participation
Article 49 of the Tunisian Constitution: A fighting tool for child protection delegates
A moot court to empower young law students in Tunisia
Kenya's counties seek to reverse low-level public participation in decision-making
Media as a means of enhancing the integrity of elections in the MENA region
Supporting election bodies in preventing political violence against Arab women
President of Kenya petitioned to implement a two-thirds representation gender principle
Climate Change and Democracy: Building momentum for innovative ways to address climate change
Democracy for Diplomats: Connecting Member State diplomats with democracy experts
Democracy Forum: Convening the #GlobalDemocracyCoalition to reinvigorate the conversation for the Summit for Democracy
Democracy statement: Member States #JoinForces4Democracy
Supporting the European Union in strengthening their approach to democracy
Coordinating regional support, encouraging sanctions following Nicaragua's democratic breakdown
Briefing the African Union's Peace and Security Council on election processes and trends
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Where We Work

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International IDEA Office
2020
2021
Social media mentions
Web mentions
+1,060%
in comparison to 2020
Social media mentions
Web mentions
 

International IDEA in Numbers

Our expert analysis on threats to democracy-building continue to be featured in global, regional and national news outlets. The coverage of our 'Global State of Democracy 2021 Report', in particular, led thousands of people seek out our indices and reports. With the support of our partners, we continue to elevate the visibility of well-researched data online that inspires solutions and reforms to our world's most pressing issues.

 

Mentioned in

ABC News Aljazeera CBS News CNN Daily Mail Deutsche Welle El Pais Forbes Huffpost La Republica Latercera MSNBC O Globo Reuters The Fiji Times The Guardian The Times of India The Washington Post USA Today VOA
ABC News Aljazeera CBS News CNN Daily Mail Deutsche Welle El Pais Forbes Huffpost La Republica
Latercera MSNBC O Globo Reuters The Fiji Times The Guardian The Times of India The Washington Post USA Today VOA

Media Mentions

International IDEA's Website Data

Views
Over 2.3 Million
Websites Views
Views
Over Half a Million
Resource Downloads

Social Media Outreach

New Followers
2020
2021
Twitter Twitter
Linkedin Linkedin
Facebook Facebook
Impressions
2020
2021
Twitter Twitter
Linkedin Linkedin
Facebook Facebook
Total Funding
2021
Project Funding (Restricted)
Core Funding
Funding by
Programme
Global programme
Africa & West Asia
Asia & the Pacific
Regional Europe
Latin America & the Caribbean
North America
92% of all funding to International IDEA goes directly to our programmes around the world

Financial

International IDEA's achievements depend on our partners' generosity and continued commitment. We are grateful and pleased to recognize our donors who have partnered with us in 2021 to deliver results. Explore our 2021 annual financial report.

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Donors

Core
Project funding

Partners

Ace Agora Asia-Europe Foundation Danish Institue for Parties and Democracy Effective Institutions Platform Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Fortify Rights Hanns Seidel Foundation Inter-parlianmentary Union Mexico Tribunal Electoral minority rights group international National Democratic Institute Netherlands Institute for Miltiparty Democracy Resource Governance Robert Bosch Stiftung Sida SILC Stockholm University Sunlight Foundation Government Offices of Sweden Ministry for Foreign Affairs The Common Wealth UN Women UNDP University of Gothenburg V-Dem Institute
Ace Agora Asia-Europe Foundation Danish Institue for Parties and Democracy Effective Institutions Platform Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Fortify Rights Hanns Seidel Foundation Inter-parlianmentary Union Mexico Tribunal Electoral minority rights group international National Democratic Institute Netherlands Institute for Miltiparty Democracy
Resource Governance Robert Bosch Stiftung Sida SILC Stockholm University Sunlight Foundation Government Offices of Sweden Ministry for Foreign Affairs The Common Wealth UN Women UNDP University of Gothenburg V-Dem Institute

International IDEA works with partners all over the world to advance democracy. To learn more about our partners in our programs and regions, visit our Partners page.

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International Institute for Democracy
and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA)
Strömsborg, SE-103 34
Stockholm, Sweden
Tel: +46 8 698 37 00
Fax: +46 8 20 24 22
www.idea.int
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