Democracy is a universal value whatever the shape of local political systems. Every country and community that is working to build its democratic resilience or that is fighting back against those trying to abuse political power is part of a global effort to solve the problems that matter to its people.
We know from WFD's work that sharing experiences with other communities and countries can help make progress in our own country. There are also some challenges that need international attention and action, especially as technology changes democratic practices and the expectations of citizens rise. So international partnerships matter to progress at national level.
WFD engages with international partners to strengthen public commitment to and mobilise resources for supporting democracy around the world, helping to accelerate international action to reverse the decline in global democracy.
We do this by:
A set of globally-representative networks and events is working to support country-led democratic resilience. Through our unique position as a UK public body, WFD contributes to this by acting as a convenor between international non-governmental organisations, local stakeholders who identify challenges and champion democratic values in their communities, and the UK government, through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
We want to ensure that international collaboration on democracy is grounded in the issues that matter to communities around the world. Their leadership in deepening and sustaining democracy where they live is at the heart of WFD’s work and their voices need to be core to international partnerships on democracy.
In March 2024, WFD collaborated with FCDO and Wilton Park on an event exploring how to sustain international support for democratic renewal.
The Democracy Action Partnership (DAP) is a flagship regional event designed to catalyse action to solve democratic governance problems in Southeast Asia. It is an initiative launched by WFD in partnership with the FCDO and the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
WFD also contributes to several groups and networks working to reinforce stronger democracy and a robust global democracy support system:
Uniting organisations dedicated to the advancement of democracy, enabling them to engage collectively and constructively with the Summit for Democracy.
Supporting democracy in Europe and around the world through the collective knowledge and capacities of European democracy support organisations.
A global consortium which supports parliaments around the world to collaborate with civil society.
A platform for actors to strengthen electoral integrity norms and practices.
A US-led network, which promotes women’s political leadership and works to tackle violence against women in politics (VAWP).
WFD is part of the project team, led by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), which has developed a tool for measuring parliamentary performance.
WFD contributed to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s (OSCE’s) guidelines.
