Trust in democracy is declining worldwide, and parliaments face growing pressure to connect with citizens. To address these issues, Inter Pares, together with the International Parliament Engagement Network and with EU support, developed eight interactive Citizen Engagement Guides. Built on extensive global research, these guides shift the focus from citizens as spectators to citizens as active participants. They provide parliaments, staff, civil society and scholars with actionable frameworks for deliberation, co-creation and inclusive decision making.

In January 2025 the president of Ghana established a Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) to develop recommendations to strengthen the country’s Constitution as an engine for democratic development. International IDEA supported Ghana—a Member State since 2008—by providing training and technical advice and convening officials and civil society. In December 2025 the CRC submitted its recommendations to the president, and International IDEA—together with Member State partners—is now supporting the next phases of the process as the Government looks to implement the recommendations.

In 2023 International IDEA launched a digitalization and democracy workstream to safeguard democratic processes from digital threats, as the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in electoral processes is outpacing many institutions’ ability to fully understand its impact.

International IDEA advanced its climate change and democracy work in 2025 by demonstrating how democratic innovation can strengthen climate action globally. In Brazil, the Institute partnered with Delibera Brasil to pilot two climate assemblies that brought citizens, local governments and civil society together to shape priorities for climate finance ahead of COP30. Their recommendation —shared with governments, donors and development banks—helped bridge the gap between community needs and global climate finance actors.

In December 2025, 192 States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) adopted the first-ever UN resolution dedicated to political finance transparency at the UNCAC Conference of the States Parties in Doha. This milestone reflects years of advocacy and technical leadership by International IDEA, in close collaboration with partner organizations.

International IDEA convened four Young Women’s Empowerment Academies across Southern Africa, East Africa, West Africa and South Asia, bringing together 110 young women from 35 countries. Aspiring candidates, party members, youth leaders and elected officials articulated clear commitments at the individual, community and political levels, positioning themselves to contest elections, reform party structures and mobilize others in support of transformative and inclusive democratic change.

Throughout 2025, International IDEA convened a series of regional dialogues across Africa under the WYDE Women’s Leadership Initiative. Bringing together politicians, emerging leaders and civil society actors from more than 30 countries, these safe, mixed‑gender spaces confronted the patriarchal norms that continue to restrict women’s political participation. 

International IDEA’s Electoral Processes Programme continued strengthening global electoral integrity in 2025. International IDEA advanced good practices among electoral assistance practitioners, policymakers, electoral management bodies (EMBs) and civil society, influencing reforms and capacity-building efforts across regions.

The Global State of Democracy (GSoD) initiative is one of International IDEA’s flagship initiatives, which aims to provide up-to-date, incisive and relevant data, analysis and policy guidance that helps shape the global debate on democracy. The Institute’s annual Global State of Democracy report is a reference point for policymakers and media, while the monthly Democracy Tracker monitors progress and setbacks around the world. 

Women continue to confront entrenched barriers and new forms of inequality throughout their political careers. In 2025 International IDEA’s work put a spotlight on a fast-growing threat—how digitalization, generative AI and online disinformation are fuelling gender-based political violence and shrinking democratic space for women.

Working with partners including the UN Development Programme, UN Women, ParlAmericas, Casa de América and Fundación Carolina, International IDEA advanced strategies to counter digital harms and strengthen women’s political leadership.