Russia’s invasion of Ukraine forced millions of Ukrainians to flee the country and search for protection across the globe. Once the war is over, Ukraine will need to hold elections for the presidency, the parliament and thousands of local self-government bodies. Organizing these first postwar elections will pose unprecedented challenges.

The EU Delegation to Nepal and International IDEA launched a project on electoral reform to enhance the equal participation of women, youth, Dalits and other marginalized groups in Nepal’s political processes. This comes as Nepal is implementing a federal system that has increased the representation of historically marginalized and excluded groups in state bodies. The institutionalization of the new system faces risks, however, especially from political parties exploiting loopholes in electoral laws. 

The Philippines has an estimated 14–17 million Indigenous People, belonging to 110 ethno-linguistic groups. In the Bangsamoro and Cordillera regions of the Philippines, Indigenous people experience social discrimination, economic marginalization and political disempowerment, which are worsened by the pandemic and an ongoing armed conflict that imperils their land rights.

The Report Climate Change and Democracy: Insights from Asia and the Pacific focuses on the challenges facing and opportunities for regional democracies amid this global environmental crisis. The first publication of its kind, the Report investigates the complex relationship between democratic governance and meaningful climate action and shows how democracy itself can be improved by interventions that mitigate climate change.

From encouraging reconciliation in war-torn Yemen to supporting the Libyan Parliament and encouraging debate about constitutional developments in Tunisia, International IDEA fosters democratic support across the Arab region. Following the outbreak of Yemen’s most recent conflict, a reconciliation commission was established in Taiz province, where the Institute helped organize training and dialogue sessions. 

International IDEA supported a consortium of seven CSOs, called Mais Integridade, that observed the 2023 municipal elections in Mozambique. This support was part of a six-year programme aimed at consolidating democracy in Mozambique, including improving the quality of election observation by civil society, funded by the EU and the Austrian Development Agency.

As part of its efforts to support electoral and democratic processes in Sierra Leone, International IDEA engages with young people and promotes media freedom in the West African country. 

International IDEA launched Phase II of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme, funded by the EU, in 2023 to bolster the rule of law, combat corruption, reduce gender-based violence, and promote human rights and inclusivity in Nigeria.