The key role played by donor agencies in democracy building and electoral assistance around the world makes donor agencies an indispensable partner of many EMBs, especially for those EMBs that rely heavily on donor funding for their elections. The relationship between the EMB and the donor community may differ from country to country, depending on whether the funds are negotiated by and released directly to the EMB or through a government department. There may be a direct bilateral electoral assistance agreement with a donor, or multiple donors’ assistance may be channelled through arrangements such as a UN Trust Fund (as in Indonesia in 2004 and in Liberia the same year) or a UN Basket Fund (as in Haiti and Yemen). In all cases, the EMB needs to ensure that all donor requirements, including budgets, project implementation reports and financial reports, and any requests for access to inspect the EMB’s activities, are met with maximum efficiency and timeliness.

In cases where the EMB negotiates and receives the money directly from a donor agency, and where a direct bilateral relationship between the two partners exists, it is particularly important that the EMB maintain a sound relationship with the donor. The EMB could arrange site visits by the donor to update them on project progress. Donors may require, and certainly appreciate, that the EMB acknowledge donor assistance in its various public relations events, including publications (such as annual reports, training manuals, and posters) and electronic productions (such as radio and television programs).

Regular contact between the EMB and all donor agencies in the country sensitises potential donors to the EMB’s present and future funding needs and allows the EMB to familiarise itself with the various donor funding priorities and requirements. One way to achieve donor involvement in EMB activities is to organise roundtables where donor representatives and other interested parties, such as civil society, government, and political parties, are invited to discuss strategies for inter-sectoral cooperation in the areas of democracy and electoral assistance. Donor roundtables can be used as a mechanism for the EMB to report on its progress in electoral administration and use of donor funding.

The EMB can also consider soliciting assistance from the local public and private sector to sponsor various EMB activities such as voter education, election result centres, etc. In South Africa, for example, some municipal authorities expressed keen interest in sponsoring voter registration campaigns. It may be possible to arrange full sponsorship or reduced rates from the local business community for EMB needs such as vehicles, bill board sites, telephone services, and other supplies, as in Namibia. In making any such arrangements, the EMB needs to be careful that it does not appear to be under the influence of or receiving favours from any politically well connected corporate groups.