Baltic-Eurasia Inter Parliamentary Training Instit…
In Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, IRI, through the Baltic Eurasia Inter-Parliamentary Institute (BEIPTI), is supporting democratic gains and a…
IRI strengthens democracy by empowering citizens, bolstering democratic governance, and making leaders more accountable to their people. For nearly 40 years, we have helped activists and elected officials foster healthy democratic competition, increase transparency and accountability in government decision-making, and promote inclusivity in civic and political life.
Our staff and local partners are committed to IRI’s mission of advancing freedom and democracy around the globe. We are a people-focused organization that fosters participation, innovation, and creativity among individuals and institutions seeking to make an impact in their country’s political and civic development.
Regional and technical teams lead IRI’s programming in more than 100 countries around the world. Our programs are based on the latest evidence, tailored to local context, and designed to achieve sustainable impact. Our approach focuses on equipping and empowering local partners to take ownership of their democratic destiny.
IRI’s Center for Global Impact is comprised of thematic experts, researchers, and global project staff who cultivate innovative, evidence-based programming approaches, tools, and resources that help IRI address emerging trends and challenges to democracy.
Research and qualitative and quantitative public opinion data are a cornerstone of IRI’s approach to programming. IRI’s Center for Insights and Survey Research (CISR) leads the Institute’s efforts and to date, IRI has polled more than 1.5 million citizens through more than 1,000 polls in over 100 countries.
IRI’s Women’s Democracy Network (WDN) was founded in 2006 to inspire and equip women with the skills they need to participate in and assume greater leadership roles in government, political parties, and civil society in the countries they call home. IRI’s global youth network Generation Democracy engages, empowers and connects youth from around the world to foster their involvement in political and civic processes. IRI is a core institute of the National Endowment for Democracy, founded in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan and the United States Congress to foster the infrastructure of democracy around the world.
IRI strengthens democracy by implementing programming grounded in the latest evidence, tailored to local context, and designed to achieve sustainable impact. We rely on local partners and activists to identify needs and craft approaches best suited for their environment.
IRI has applied these tenets to develop approaches specific to each of its priority technical areas, from countering foreign authoritarian influence to combating kleptocracy and corruption.
Ineffective governance and weak institutions are at the root of global threats to democracy, including entrenched corruption, the rise of authoritarianism, and protracted conflict. The International Republican Institute (IRI) combats these trends and strengthens democracy worldwide by deploying approaches that enhance citizens’ ability to meaningfully participate in government planning and decision-making, while helping those in office respond to citizen needs with accountability and transparency.
In Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, IRI, through the Baltic Eurasia Inter-Parliamentary Institute (BEIPTI), is supporting democratic gains and a…
This month, the International Republican Institute (IRI) is commemorating Caribbean-American Heritage Month by showcasing successes in last year’s second iteration…
Recently, the House Democracy Partnership (HDP) traveled to Bogota, Colombia to implement a technical assistance consultancy (TAC). Central to HDP’s…
The House Democracy Partnership (HDP) is a bipartisan commission of the U.S. House of Representatives that works directly with 22…
Nearly two months into Russia’s assault, Ukraine stands strong. The country has become a bulwark against authoritarian aggression, and it…
Since the initial passing of the Decentralization Act in 2010, political and institutional hurdles have hindered the Government of the…
Women’s participation in political processes at the subnational and national levels of government is imperative to a thriving democracy. When…
The House Democracy Partnership (HDP) is a bipartisan commission of the U.S. House of Representatives that works directly with 22…
Following International Women’s Month, the International Republican Institute (IRI) is highlighting our work across the world to elevate the role…
Turkey has one of the youngest populations in Europe with roughly 13 million citizens between the ages of 15 and…
Environmental hazards may have a crucial impact on democratic transition in the Western Balkans. This is particularly true in Serbia,…
Globally, restrictions on freedom of speech, assembly, and association are shrinking the space for people to advocate for themselves. To address this evolving challenge, the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) civil society programs are informed by the experience of IRI’s partners and designed to promote communities’ ability to participate in and influence political systems within their own country.
IRI’s Middle East Regional Civic Initiative (MERCI) will support civil society in eight target countries in the Middle East and…
Ahead of the May 9, 2022, elections, civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Philippines have set their sights on the…
Following International Women’s Month, the International Republican Institute (IRI) is highlighting our work across the world to elevate the role…
Environmental hazards may have a crucial impact on democratic transition in the Western Balkans. This is particularly true in Serbia,…
Building and supporting networks is central to the advancement of democracy, expansion of human rights, and establishment of good governance.…
On a global stage, cryptocurrency has gained notoriety for enabling corruption and transnational money laundering via online exchanges—a newer and…
As the International Republican Institute (IRI) continues its work in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the country – which exists as…
Since peacefully transitioning to a democracy in 1990, landlocked Mongolia is often described as an “island of democracy” between Russia…
Women have a crucial role to play in cultivating peace and countering violence in their communities. There is growing research…
As countries work to rebuild their economies after the crisis of the Covid-19 pandemic, the inclusion of women proves more…
Though International Youth Day comes but once a year—Thursday, August 12, in 2021—young people are working 365 days a year…
Violent conflict and state fragility threaten freedom and human well-being globally by derailing democratic progress, inhibiting service delivery, and undermining trust between the government and its citizens.
As violent extremist organizations expand their influence in the central Sahel and threaten northern border communities in the Littoral States,…
A rise in extremist violence in the region has led to an increase in the number of displaced people trying…
As the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Western Balkans Task Force prepares for the Southeastern Europe Democracy Summit (SEE|DEM) this spring,…
As the International Republican Institute (IRI) continues its work in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the country – which exists as…
Violent conflict has posed a major threat to providing accountable and democratic governance to citizens the world over. In addition…
Women have a crucial role to play in cultivating peace and countering violence in their communities. There is growing research…
Introduction Forced displacement is the result of complex and enduring challenges to democracy and peace around the world. At the…
October 31 marks the anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which acknowledges the impact of instability on women…
In May, Burundi held its first competitive presidential election since the country’s 1993 civil war, prompting hopes for a more…
Violent extremism threatens peace and stability in the Sahel region of Africa and beyond. The International Republican Institute’s (IRI) programming connects the…
Boarding my plane after two years of service in post-war Democratic Republic of Congo, I thought that working in Colombia’s…
“Dear Daddy, How is America? How is your friends? Daddy there is war in Buea. They shoot guns every night.…
Electoral integrity, a critical aspect of democratic governance, is increasingly jeopardized by a proliferating range of domestic and foreign threats. To guard against these dangers and make sure elections represent the will of the people, IRI’s electoral integrity programs expand voter literacy, maximize participation, catalyze reform movements, mitigate electoral violence, and build citizens’ confidence in electoral outcomes.
The International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Global Impact cultivates innovative, evidence-based programming and provides resources, tools, and expertise to…
In light of recent geopolitical changes, foreign policy has become increasingly relevant to Hungarians who engage in political discussion, and…
Public perceptions of Transatlantic institutions in Central and Eastern Europe, such as NATO, are being undermined by nationalistic rhetoric and…
To bridge the growing lack of understanding regarding the strategic challenges that malign foreign influences pose, rebuild democratic values among…
Today, perhaps more than ever before, Transatlantic solidarity remains crucial to defending the tenets of democratic governance and safeguarding the…
Established in 2016, the Beacon Project leverages IRI’s 34 years of experience in European politics. For over five years, it…
Research and Public Opinion Data Research and qualitative and quantitative public opinion data is a cornerstone of IRI’s approach to programming. Our…
IRI’s Western Balkans regional program focuses on countering malign foreign influence and extremism, including extreme ethnonationalism and the rise of…
OUR STORY | Where it all Began: In March 2006, the Women’s Democracy Network (WDN) was established by Judy Van…
In an innovative regional political party program, IRI provides support and capacity building to political parties in countries of the…
Ahead of the May 9, 2022, elections, civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Philippines have set their sights on the…
Tbilisi, Georgia – The International Republican Institute (IRI) today released the final report of its assessment of the pre-election period and the first round of the municipal elections on October 2, 2021, by its Technical Election…
The increasing use of communication technologies in the electoral process has led to both interest and concern among global practitioners.…
Banjul, The Gambia – A team of five international elections experts from the International Republican Institute arrived in The Gambia today to…
On November 14, Argentinians will head to the ballot box in eight provinces to elect half of the Chamber of…
On November 14, Bulgarians will head to the polls for the third parliamentary election of 2021 after the upstart “There…
Executive Summary The International Republican Institute (IRI) conducted an international Technical Election Assessment Mission (TEAM) to assess the October 2, 2021, municipal…
Washington D.C. – International Republican Institute (IRI) President Daniel Twining released the following statement in response to the passing of Colin Powell:…
On May 31, Somalilanders went to the polls to elect a new parliament for the first time in sixteen years.…
Tbilisi, Georgia – The International Republican Institute (IRI) today announced the start of its international Technical Election Assessment Mission (TEAM)…
Independent media plays a vital role in strengthening democracy by producing widely accessible information free of institutional bias, promoting transparency and accountability, and raising awareness against authoritarianism. IRI supports media development so citizens have access to accurate and timely information.
In Spring 2021, IRI began a cross-regional program between the Transatlantic Strategy Division and the Latin America & Caribbean Division…
A massive flow of disinformation on COVID-19 vaccines has led to significant vaccine hesitancy among Armenia’s population. This, in turn,…
The House Democracy Partnership (HDP) is a bipartisan commission of the U.S. House of Representatives that works directly with 22…
On October 3, 2021, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) released the Pandora Papers, a multi-year investigation into nearly…
With Iraq’s next parliamentary elections scheduled for October 10, this five-part series highlights the critical voter education and mobilization work…
With Iraq’s next parliamentary elections scheduled for October 10, this five-part series highlights the critical voter education and mobilization work…
In the early 2010s, Abi Yerusa “Ira” Sobeukum was reassessing her position within East Nusa Tenggara’s sociopolitical scene. On one…
Five months after Cuba implemented a new economic reform called “The Ordering Task,” the financial situation of Cuba’s cuentapropistas, or…
Can street protests against corruption develop into meaningful electoral changes? Like other countries with political corruption but political party fragmentation,…
The House Democracy Partnership (HDP) is a bipartisan commission of the U.S. House of Representatives that works directly with 21…
On January 13th, Mongolia marked the 30th anniversary of its first democratic constitution. A communist country for most of…
A robust democracy depends on the equal and active participation of all. IRI empowers and amplifies the voices of underserved communities and integrates them into political and civic life. In so doing, IRI supports sustainable, inclusive democratic development.
OUR STORY | Where it all Began: In March 2006, the Women’s Democracy Network (WDN) was established by Judy Van…
IRI’s Middle East Regional Civic Initiative (MERCI) will support civil society in eight target countries in the Middle East and…
Understanding the critical role young people play in transparent, accountable, and responsive democracies, IRI partners with the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and United…
Despite constituting 56 percent of the global population, youth continue to be underrepresented in political and civic participation. Through International Republican…
This month, the International Republican Institute (IRI) is commemorating Caribbean-American Heritage Month by showcasing successes in last year’s second iteration…
Young changemakers in Sri Lanka are using short documentaries as an advocacy tool to shed light on challenges faced by…
In April, the International Republican Institute (IRI) hosted 12 young leaders from Generation Democracy’s Global Member Advisory Board (GMAB) to…
Women’s participation in political processes at the subnational and national levels of government is imperative to a thriving democracy. When…
Following International Women’s Month, the International Republican Institute (IRI) is highlighting our work across the world to elevate the role…
Turkey has one of the youngest populations in Europe with roughly 13 million citizens between the ages of 15 and…
En el día internacional de la mujer, el Instituto Republicano Internacional (IRI) destaca el impacto desproporcional que genera la crisis…
Last November, members of IRI’s Evidence and Learning Practice (ELP) virtually attended the 35th annual American Evaluation Association conference. This…
Shifting sociopolitical norms and creating space for historically marginalized people to fill leadership roles in their communities is no small…
Tbilisi, Georgia – The International Republican Institute (IRI) today released the final report of its assessment of the pre-election period and the first round of the municipal elections on October 2, 2021, by its Technical Election…
Competitive, issue-based political parties organize democracy by providing meaningful choices for voters, linking disparate citizen interests, engaging citizens in the political process, cultivating responsive leaders, and holding governments accountable. The International Republican Institute (IRI) supports and strengthens democratic political parties to increase their representation, effectiveness, and accountability.
In an innovative regional political party program, IRI provides support and capacity building to political parties in countries of the…
Political parties in North Macedonia still have a long way to go to earn the trust of the population. According…
Following International Women’s Month, the International Republican Institute (IRI) is highlighting our work across the world to elevate the role…
Turkey has one of the youngest populations in Europe with roughly 13 million citizens between the ages of 15 and…
In the hyper-competitive landscape of modern political contests, parties must consider every possible opportunity to enhance their prospects of appealing…
Standing Out from the CrowdPolitical Parties’ Candidate (S)election in the Transatlantic World Copyright © 2022 International Republican Institute. All rights…
Join CEPPS and IRI for a webinar on a new set of tools to assist democracy and governance practitioners in…
Eight graduates of IRI’s Advanced Leadership in Politics Institute (ALPI) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) were elected to local office…
On May 31, Somalilanders went to the polls to elect a new parliament for the first time in sixteen years.…
The European Union (EU) has not added a member country in 8 years despite having multiple candidate countries in the…
Nepal has gone through no less than 53 changes of government since it first became a democracy in 1951, and…
Understanding what works, how, and why in democracy and governance programs is critical to achieving and sustaining meaningful impact. IRI’s Research, Learning, and Evaluation efforts focus on conducting rigorous research, and designing and implementing monitoring, evaluation and learning systems to help our practitioners develop and implement effective, evidence-based and results-oriented projects.
Research and Public Opinion Data Research and qualitative and quantitative public opinion data is a cornerstone of IRI’s approach to programming. Our…
Yerevan, Armenia – A new nationwide poll in Armenia by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research (CISR) shows strong majorities…
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – A nationwide poll by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research (CISR) finds fewer Malaysians believe the country…
Amid a dynamic environment of shifting electoral alliances and a term-limited president, Kenyan voters are energized for the decisive political…
Tbilisi, Georgia – A new nationwide poll conducted in Georgia by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research (CISR) reveals concerns over the economy, feelings of…
Technology is the battleground for the future. The rapid adoption of digital technology has transformed how governments operate; how citizens engage and what they expect of leaders; how elections take place; what political campaigns look like; and the threats that democratic actors face.
Recently, the House Democracy Partnership (HDP) traveled to Bogota, Colombia to implement a technical assistance consultancy (TAC). Central to HDP’s…
Ahead of the May 9, 2022, elections, civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Philippines have set their sights on the…
Environmental hazards may have a crucial impact on democratic transition in the Western Balkans. This is particularly true in Serbia,…
On a global stage, cryptocurrency has gained notoriety for enabling corruption and transnational money laundering via online exchanges—a newer and…
The House Democracy Partnership (HDP) is a bipartisan commission of the U.S. House of Representatives that works directly with 22…
“Last October, Bangladesh was rocked by one of its worst bouts of violence in years when Muslims across the country…
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the International Republican Institute (IRI) announced the hire of Katie Harbath as the new director of…
Introduction Over the past few years, the International Republican Institute (IRI), the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Stanford Internet…
Born in the aftermath of World War II and at the dawn of the Cold War, NATO is looking to…
IRI promotes women’s meaningful political participation and gender equality throughout all our regional programs, as well as our dedicated global initiative, the Women’s Democracy Network (WDN).
OUR STORY | Where it all Began: In March 2006, the Women’s Democracy Network (WDN) was established by Judy Van…
Understanding the critical role young people play in transparent, accountable, and responsive democracies, IRI partners with the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and United…
The endeavors of young women in North Macedonia and their contributions in supporting other women to participate in civic decision-making…
Since the initial passing of the Decentralization Act in 2010, political and institutional hurdles have hindered the Government of the…
Women’s participation in political processes at the subnational and national levels of government is imperative to a thriving democracy. When…
Following International Women’s Month, the International Republican Institute (IRI) is highlighting our work across the world to elevate the role…
Freetown, Sierra Leone – The fourth poll by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research (CISR) in Sierra Leone…
On International Women’s Day, the International Republican Institute (IRI) is shining a spotlight on the disproportionate impact of the ongoing…
International Women’s Day (March 8) is an opportunity to celebrate the cultural, social, and political impact of women around the…
Women, especially those in political spaces, often face a hostile online environment, enduring harassment, gendered hate speech, the spreading of…
While a majority might argue that legislation protecting against gender-based violence (GBV) should be orthodox, that is not the case…
Washington D.C. – The International Republican Institute (IRI) is saddened to announce the passing of Judy Van Rest, Executive Vice President since…
Empowering young people participate and lead is essential to the democratic health of all societies. IRI equips young people around the world with the skills and networks to engage in civic and political processes in a way that meets them where they are.
Understanding the critical role young people play in transparent, accountable, and responsive democracies, IRI partners with the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and United…
Despite constituting 56 percent of the global population, youth continue to be underrepresented in political and civic participation. Through International Republican…
This month, the International Republican Institute (IRI) is commemorating Caribbean-American Heritage Month by showcasing successes in last year’s second iteration…
Young changemakers in Sri Lanka are using short documentaries as an advocacy tool to shed light on challenges faced by…
In April, the International Republican Institute (IRI) hosted 12 young leaders from Generation Democracy’s Global Member Advisory Board (GMAB) to…
Women’s participation in political processes at the subnational and national levels of government is imperative to a thriving democracy. When…
Turkey has one of the youngest populations in Europe with roughly 13 million citizens between the ages of 15 and…
Ukraine is a stronger nation today than it was eight years ago, when Russia last invaded Ukraine from the East…
Tbilisi, Georgia – The International Republican Institute (IRI) today released the final report of its assessment of the pre-election period and the first round of the municipal elections on October 2, 2021, by its Technical Election…
A massive flow of disinformation on COVID-19 vaccines has led to significant vaccine hesitancy among Armenia’s population. This, in turn,…
Banjul, The Gambia – A team of five international elections experts from the International Republican Institute arrived in The Gambia today to…
Pristina, Kosovo – A nationwide poll in Kosovo by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research shows a strong desire among young Kosovars to leave the country as…
IRI’s initiatives, including the Center for Global Impact, the Center for Survey Research, the Women’s Democracy Network, and the Transatlantic Strategy Division focus on areas of particular importance in building strong and resilient democracies. In a small sampling, their work ranges from data accumulation to countering malign false information to the creation of evidence-based programs and more.
Empowering young people participate and lead is essential to the democratic health of all societies. IRI equips young people around…
IRI promotes women’s meaningful political participation and gender equality throughout all our regional programs, as well as our dedicated global…
Understanding what works, how, and why in democracy and governance programs is critical to achieving and sustaining meaningful impact. IRI’s…
Technology is the battleground for the future. The rapid adoption of digital technology has transformed how governments operate; how citizens…
Independent media plays a vital role in strengthening democracy by producing widely accessible information free of institutional bias, promoting transparency…
Globally, restrictions on freedom of speech, assembly, and association are shrinking the space for people to advocate for themselves. To…
A robust democracy depends on the equal and active participation of all. IRI empowers and amplifies the voices of underserved…
Violent conflict and state fragility threaten freedom and human well-being globally by derailing democratic progress, inhibiting service delivery, and undermining…
More than ever, foreign authoritarian actors from China and Russia, are taking an increasingly aggressive approach to exerting influence in…
Ineffective governance and weak institutions are at the root of global threats to democracy, including entrenched corruption, the rise of…
Electoral integrity, a critical aspect of democratic governance, is increasingly jeopardized by a proliferating range of domestic and foreign threats.…
Competitive, issue-based political parties organize democracy by providing meaningful choices for voters, linking disparate citizen interests, engaging citizens in the…