Institutions

Institutions provide the framework and rules that enable the effective functioning and maintenance of a democratic system. Strong institutions promote transparency, accountability, and the rule of law, all of which are essential for a well-functioning democracy where citizens and civil society can express themselves. We work and advocate for resilient and accountable institutions that guarantee free and fair elections, free and independent media and a real decentralisation of national powers.

Elections

28 August 2023 | Paper

A closer look into Kyrgyzstan’s election, media pluralism and what EPD is doing to support the media

How does our Media Dialogue project support media actors at this critical time for Kyrgyzstan’s democracy?

28 August 2023 | Paper

Enhancing the integrity of the 2024 European Parliament elections

Findings and recommendations on equality and inclusion, transparency, accountability and risks and opportunities ahead of the 2024 EU elections.

14 March 2023 | Statement

Urgent need for a long term approach in Georgia

After days of large-scale protests of local and international stakeholders, we welcome the withdrawal by the Georgian Parliament of the highly controversial Foreign Agent Bill.

09 February 2023 | Letter

Open Letter to Parliament on the European Media Freedom Act

We and other 50-plus signatories call on Members of the European Parliament to engage in a constructive debate on the European Media Freedom Act.

06 October 2021 | Article

The Legislative Elections in Morocco: A Turnaround in Fortunes

Why were elections on September 8 in Morocco so important? What challenges will the new government will have to face, and what we are doing to address these?

13 July 2021 | Article

Do we have too much or too little polarisation? A Democracy Debate

New challenger parties have gained ground across Europe. This has raised fears of polarisation as an unsettling force pulling at the seams of democracy in Europe, but is this really the case?

17 March 2021 | Article

Expert insight: Why Post-Legislative Scrutiny may be considered a public good

What post-legislative scrutiny (PLS) and how can it serve as an instrument for good governance?

29 July 2022 | Case study

Exploring Worldwide Democratic Innovations – A case study of Ghana

This case study on Ghana puts political parties under investigative lens, exploring how the country’s two main political parties have risen to prominence by innovating their structures.

17 June 2022 | Case study

Democracy support in dominant party states – The case of Georgia

The Georgian case highlights innovations in local government, government digital platforms, and political parties using digital tools, with both their strengths and limitations.

20 October 2021 | Article

Strengthening Democracy Support in Regimes with Dominant Parties

Four case studies of different types of dominant-party regimes in Georgia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, and Zimbabwe.

11 May 2021 | Paper

Toward a New Era of European Support to Political Party Systems

We delve at the key challenges to political party support programmes, inclusion in political parties, the role of parties in elections, and cooperation between parties.

22 February 2023 | Statement

Joint statement on the European Commission’s 2023 Rule of Law Report

In the preparation of the 2023 rule of law report, we point several concerns that need to be urgently addressed.

22 March 2022 | Recommendations

Civil society recommendations for an ambitious rule of law report in 2022

We have come together with other orgnisations to issue a set of EU-wide and country-specific recommendations to strengthen the reporting process and make the reports directly enforceable.

21 February 2022 | Statement

EPD Statement on the Commission’s 2022 Rule of Law Report

We set our our top-level concerns across the EU on the rule of law, urging the Commission to include these in the 2022 Rule of Law Report.

20 October 2021 | Recommendations

The Summit for Democracy: A Menu of Commitments

Guiding principles for establishing commitments ahead of the summit and potential commitments for participating states on several thematic areas.

22 September 2021 | Statement

Joint Statement: Civil Society Recommendations for the Commission on the Rule of Law Report

Recommendations for the Commission on how it can improve the credibility, inclusiveness and impact of the Rule of Law Report.

07 May 2021 | Statement

Joint Statement: Summit for Democracy

Summit for Democracy: What issues should be addressed? Where will it be held? Will it be a one-off event? Who should be invited?

17 March 2021 | Article

Expert insight: Why Post-Legislative Scrutiny may be considered a public good

What post-legislative scrutiny (PLS) and how can it serve as an instrument for good governance?

29 June 2023 | Article

Exploring a new dawn in democracy – EPD’s 2023 Annual Conference

150 participants from various walks of life, 36 renowned speakers, and 10 thought-provoking sessions revolving around support for democracy at EPD’s 2023 Annual Conference.

26 June 2023 | Statement

Civil Society Open Letter on the ongoing negotiations regarding the Regulation of Political Advertising

Together with 27 CSOs, we want to voice our deep concern regarding the worrying developments on the Regulation on the Targeting and Transparency of Political Advertising.

05 June 2023 | Statement

Civil Society Statement on Democratic Digital Infrastructure

Together with other 40 CSOs, we are calling on the EU and Member States to support alternatives to commercial digital infrastructures and promote interoperable, transparent digital spaces.

30 March 2023 | Paper

Joint Civil Society and Democracy Organisations’ Priorities for the Defence of Democracy Package

Together with other 47 organisations, we gathered contributions and recommendations for an ambitious Defence of Democracy Package.

14 March 2023 | Statement

Urgent need for a long term approach in Georgia

After days of large-scale protests of local and international stakeholders, we welcome the withdrawal by the Georgian Parliament of the highly controversial Foreign Agent Bill.

22 February 2023 | Statement

Joint statement on the European Commission’s 2023 Rule of Law Report

In the preparation of the 2023 rule of law report, we point several concerns that need to be urgently addressed.

Related programmes

Basket Funds in Moldova

EU4Accountability

Djuntu pa igualdadi! A participatory response to gender-based violence (Cape Verde)

Facilitating Zimbabwe’s Civil Society Immediate Contributions to the Constitutional Reform Process

Information and Integrity (Morocco)

INSPIRED +

INSPIRED Myanmar

Med Dialogue for Rights and Equality

Nuestros derechos en la Agenda 2030 (Paraguay)

Programme d’Appui à la Société Civile en Tunise (PASC)

Promoción de la participación ciudadana a nivel nacional y local en el ciclo de las Políticas Públicas de Protección Social para la cohesión en Paraguay

REACH for Democracy

Supporting Democracy in Libya (SUDEL)

Supporting Engagement in European Elections and Democratic Societies (SEEEDS)

The Charter Project Africa

Transnistria I

Transnistria II

Institutions

Elections

Enhancing the integrity of the 2024 European Parliament elections

Exploring Worldwide Democratic Innovations – A case study of Lebanon

The Legislative Elections in Morocco: A Turnaround in Fortunes

Do we have too much or too little polarisation? A Democracy Debate

Monitoring online hate speech during elections in Kyrgyzstan

A closer look into Kyrgyzstan’s election, media pluralism and what EPD is doing to support the media

Parliament

Enhancing the integrity of the 2024 European Parliament elections

Urgent need for a long term approach in Georgia

Open Letter to Parliament on the European Media Freedom Act

The Legislative Elections in Morocco: A Turnaround in Fortunes

Do we have too much or too little polarisation? A Democracy Debate

Expert insight: Why Post-Legislative Scrutiny may be considered a public good

Parties

Exploring Worldwide Democratic Innovations – A case study of Ghana

Democracy support in dominant party states – The case of Georgia

Strengthening Democracy Support in Regimes with Dominant Parties

Toward a New Era of European Support to Political Party Systems

Rule of law

Joint statement on the European Commission’s 2023 Rule of Law Report

Civil society recommendations for an ambitious rule of law report in 2022

EPD Statement on the Commission’s 2022 Rule of Law Report

The Summit for Democracy: A Menu of Commitments

Joint Statement: Civil Society Recommendations for the Commission on the Rule of Law Report

Joint Statement: Summit for Democracy

Judiciary

Expert insight: Why Post-Legislative Scrutiny may be considered a public good

Civil society

Exploring a new dawn in democracy – EPD’s 2023 Annual Conference

Civil Society Open Letter on the ongoing negotiations regarding the Regulation of Political Advertising

Civil Society Statement on Democratic Digital Infrastructure

Joint Civil Society and Democracy Organisations’ Priorities for the Defence of Democracy Package

Urgent need for a long term approach in Georgia

Joint statement on the European Commission’s 2023 Rule of Law Report

Related programmes