Overview

As a global leader in democracy promotion, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) engages with critical issues in democracy, governance and elections around the world. From programming aimed at ensuring electoral integrity and accountability to efforts to empower underrepresented populations, such as persons with disabilities, women and youth, to participate in electoral and political processes, IFES is at the forefront of innovative work to provide citizens around the world with the fundamental human right to have a say in how they are governed. Our research and surveys build on this work and aim to improve our programming and promote sustainable democracy.  

 

Our Approach

IFES understands that genuine and lasting democratic change begins in-country. Our founder, F. Clifton White, believed there is no "blueprint for democracy." Three decades later, White’s philosophy drives our work as we partner with local organizations, tailor assistance to a country’s situation, history and culture and offer comprehensive, objective expertise designed to create sustainable change. IFES brings 30 years of experience gained in more than 140 countries to this important work. The end goal is to create systems and procedures that increase accountability, transparency and serve the interests of ordinary citizens.

 

Our Work

 

Electoral Management

 

IFES works to capture, develop and share knowledge on effective electoral management and leadership in order to promote credible electoral environments that contribute to good governance, stability and development. Electoral management entails effectively organizing a high quality election process. Electoral leadership is the ability to project and inspire competence, productivity, ethical behavior and trust. IFES uses a range of tools to achieve our objectives, including: in-depth assessments, research and lessons-learned exercises; evidence-based assistance to election management bodies; visionary electoral reform and strategic/operational planning; genuine collaboration between all key electoral stakeholders; and progressive capacity-building to strengthen current and future electoral leaders.

 

Electoral Law

 

Clear legal frameworks are essential for the protection of fundamental suffrage rights, the design and implementation of effective electoral systems, and the efficient and transparent management of elections. Drawing on international law, best practices and comparative experience, IFES works globally with local partners in the design and reform of electoral systems and the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern their implementation – ultimately promoting the effectiveness and credibility of democratic institutions and processes.

 

Participation and Inclusion

 

IFES’ initiatives around the world seek to increase the participation, influence and representation of citizens in political processes and governance structures. IFES supports a variety of civic education and training initiatives, including informing voters of their rights and responsibilities and conducting leadership and advocacy trainings to empower citizens to have a voice in the way they are governed.

A key focus of IFES’ work is inclusion of traditionally underrepresented groups, such as persons with disabilities, youth, indigenous persons and ethnic and religious minorities. IFES works to strengthen political participation and inclusion by conducting civic and voter education activities via diverse media; providing technical assistance to government officials on how to implement international standards; empowering civil society organizations to advocate for equal rights; and assisting citizen-led efforts to define best practices through the development of global tools.

 

Research and Publications

 

IFES conducts innovative applied research to identify socio-political and programmatic factors that impact the development of robust democratic institutions and processes. Our research addresses emerging issues in the democracy and governance sector, and IFES uses research data to inform and evaluate programming that supports the democratization process.

With an array of experts on electoral and political processes, IFES regularly produces white papers, books, reports and manuals on topics such as election security; political finance; gender equality; standards for conducting election audits and ensuring electoral integrity and transparency; public opinion on elections and democracy; and providing equal access for persons with disabilities to electoral and political processes. IFES also provides informative Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on elections, offering comprehensive primers of important electoral processes.

 

Our Staff

The makeup of IFES’ staff reflects our international outlook. Every project office is staffed by local personnel and every project partners with local experts. Among IFES’ nearly 400 employees are specialists in election administration, rule of law, civil society development, good governance, applied research, human rights, gender issues and information technology solutions.