Various regional electoral associations facilitate the exchange of information as well as the secondment and training of electoral administrators. At the international level, through bilateral and multilateral cooperation, many EMBs have been able to send their staff to observe electoral management in other countries, or on secondment to other EMBs for training and exposure to different ways of electoral organisation. This is a quick and relatively inexpensive way of gaining new ideas and exposure to good practices in electoral administration.

EMB projects using advisors and consultants with experience in other countries need to be structured to provide skills transfer and capacity-building through mentoring of the EMB’s staff. These advisors and consultants have the potential to help EMBs solve difficult specific problems, to advise the EMB members and staff on how to ensure its operations accord with international standards, and to build the EMB’s own internal problem-solving capacities. They may be specialists in particular electoral and technical fields or skilled electoral managers.