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Switzerland and International IDEA sign new multiyear core funding agreement to support democracy

November 09, 2026 • By Malte Stovring
Left to right: Patricia Danzi, Director-General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and Secretary-General Kevin Casas-Zamora, December 2025.  Photo: Malin Huusmann. .
Switzerland and International IDEA have signed a new two-year agreement for 2027–2028, providing an annual core contribution of EUR 1 million to the Institute’s budget.

The core contribution underlines Switzerland’s strong and sustained partnership with International IDEA. This commitment recognises the Institute’s distinctive expertise and global reach, as well as its role in fostering dialogue, generating knowledge and providing practical support to democratic institutions and actors across regions.

The renewed commitment is particularly significant at a time when democracy, good governance and the rule of law face mounting challenges worldwide. Democratic institutions and principles are under pressure, while governments and societies are confronting rapidly evolving challenges that require both national responses and stronger international cooperation.

Switzerland’s decision to continue providing a predictable core contribution strengthens International IDEA’s capacity to respond to this environment.

“We deeply value Switzerland’s renewed commitment to International IDEA and the confidence it demonstrates in our mandate and effectiveness,” said International IDEA Secretary-General Kevin Casas-Zamora. “Predictable core funding gives us the agility to respond to emerging democratic challenges and to direct our expertise and resources where they can have the greatest impact. Switzerland’s support reinforces that International IDEA remains essential as the leading intergovernmental organization solely dedicated to democracy. In fact, this kind of multilateral platform where democracies can come together, exchange experiences, and respond to shared challenges is more important than ever.”

The new agreement reaffirms a shared commitment to democracy as a foundation for peace, prosperity and sustainable development. International IDEA looks forward to continuing its close engagement with Switzerland and working alongside Switzerland to strengthen democratic resilience worldwide.

About the authors

Malte Stovring
Senior External Relations Officer
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