15-16 October
On 15–16 October, around 50 electoral experts and practitioners from over 15 countries met in Stockholm for the Global Expert Meeting on Protecting Elections. The meeting highlighted the practical value of the Integrated Framework for Protecting Elections and provided a space for peer exchange and lessons learned from pilot countries. Discussions will inform the next phase of the project, supporting partners in strengthening electoral integrity worldwide. Read the full article here.
- From 26–28 August 2025, International IDEA, in partnership with the Electoral Commission of Benin (Commission Electorale Nationale Autonome / CENA) and Le Réseau des compétences électorales francophones (RECEF), hosted back-to-back workshops in Cotonou: the Protecting Elections Workshop and the Capacity Development Workshop. The events gathered electoral stakeholders to both identify and assess risks to electoral integrity and to strengthen capacities to address electoral risks, threats, and crises ahead of the 2026 elections. To read more about the event, check out the event article or the article in Le Matinal.
- On 26 August, International IDEA, in partnership with the Electoral Tribunal of Panama, hosted a Technical and Advisory Support Event in Panama City. The event brought together representatives from the Tribunal, key state agencies, and civil society to discuss strategies for identifying and mitigating risks of fraud and corruption, with a particular focus on political and campaign financing. See the event article for more details!
- On the 16-18 June, International IDEA in partnership with the African Union (AU) and Malawi Election Commission (MEC), organized a “Protecting Elections Workshop” and a “Protecting Elections: Addressing Gender-Based Discrimination and Violence Workshop” in Lilongwe, Malawi. The event brought together around 60 participants representing a diverse group of Malawi stakeholders from organizations with mandates or interests in supporting electoral integrity and gender equality. The event was organized under the EU-funded SPEC project, although the materials and methodology have been developed under the Canada-funded Protecting Elections Project.
- On 15th of May, a Protecting Elections: Addressing Gender-Based Discrimination and Violence in Electoral Processes Workshop was co-organized by Le Réseau des compétences électorales francophones (RECEF), the Office of the Electoral Commissioner of Mauritius (OEC), and International IDEA. It focused on identifying risk factors to gender-based discrimination and violence in elections, as well as explored strategies to address this challenge. This event was held back-to-back with the Protecting Elections Workshop earlier in the week, bringing together the same group of participants. Read more in the event article or watch the participants' testimonials video.
- Between 13–14 May, a Protecting Elections Workshop was co-organized in Mauritius by Le Réseau des compétences électorales francophones (RECEF), the Office of the Electoral Commissioner of Mauritius (OEC), and International IDEA. This event brought together 40 participants from 20 RECEF member states, the African Union, ECONEC, Réseau électoral de l’océan Indien (REOI), Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, and Global Affairs Canada. The workshop focused on identifying and classifying risk factors to electoral integrity, as well as appropriate courses of action. Read more in the event article or watch the participants' testimonials video.
- On 9th of May, a Lessons Learned Report on the Protecting Elections project was presented in Port Louis, Mauritius. Authored by two external experts, the report confirms the project’s impact and relevance, based on interviews with 11 officials and a review of key activities piloted in 2024 together with the Office of the Election Commissioner of Mauritius. The event gathered past participants who shared reflections on the project’s value and future potential.
- From 29–30 April, International IDEA and the Electoral Tribunal of Panama co-organized a Capacity Development Workshop in Panama City , building on a previous event held in February. The workshop brought together 31 participants from key national institutions to strengthen their capacity to protect electoral integrity, with sessions tailored to the Panamanian context. More details are available in the article.
- On 2–3 April 2025, International IDEA held a high-level workshop with Ukraine’s Central Election Commission (CEC) in Chișinău, focusing on advancing electoral risk management, resilience building, and crisis management processes as part of broader efforts to protect electoral integrity. The workshop marked an important milestone in the ongoing cooperation between the Institute’s Ukraine office and the CECs, benefiting from resources developed under the global Protecting Elections Project. Participants also had a unique preview of the new web-based Electoral Risk Management Tool (ERMTool2.0), fully aligned with the Integrated Framework for Protecting Elections and its Resources Toolkit. Read more about the event in the articles: "Scaling up impact through Canadian support: Moldova and Ukraine strengthen electoral protection" and "Ukraine’s Central Election Commission Works Toward Institutionalizing Electoral Risk Management". *This initiative was supported by the Government of Canada, Sweden, Finland, and Liechtenstein.
- On April 1, 2025, International IDEA, in partnership with Moldova’s Central Election Commission (CEC), held a Protecting Elections Workshop. CEC officials and district representatives explored best practices for preventing and mitigating electoral risks, cyber threats, and hybrid attacks. Participants also conducted a self-assessment and worked with International IDEA’s Electoral Risk Management Tool (ERMTool) to enhance electoral integrity. As Moldova prepares for its parliamentary elections, a coordinated approach to election protection remains crucial for ensuring free and fair elections. Read more on the CEC website: LINK. *This initiative was supported by the Government of Canada, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and the European Union (FPI).
- On February 14, 2025, a Technical and Advisory Support Event was organized together with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in Helsinki, Finland. The event focused on reinforcing Finland’s electoral integrity in the information environment through combating mis- and disinformation in elections. Building on past workshops, the event brought together key electoral stakeholders to assess existing strategies and identify areas for improvement, including through enhanced collaboration. Read more about the event here.
- On 6-7 February 2025, a Protecting Elections Workshop was organized in Panama City, in collaboration with the Electoral Tribunal (ET) of Panama. Participants from ET, government officials, academics, electoral experts and civil society organizations came together to discuss electoral risks, threats, and crises, and to develop strategies to address them. The workshop provided a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences and reinforce efforts to protect electoral integrity in Panama and beyond. Read more about the event in the full article.
