Our programmes
WFD is helping to make countries' political systems fairer, more inclusive, and more accountable. We do this by working with parliaments, political parties, electoral bodies and civil society.
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A delegate at the Democracy Action Partnership in November 2023, which focused on collective action to end violence against women in politics in Southeast Asia.
Our programmes focus on supporting more effective parliaments, political parties, electoral bodies and civil society organisations. We also work with independent institutions, such as anti-corruption commissions, supreme audit authorities, as well as ombudsman, media, the private sector, labour unions and the justice system. We support them to strengthen their skills and work together to bring about greater accountability, more credible elections, improved policy-making, increased citizen participation and more inclusive representation.
WFD offers training and expertise on democratic practices and process. We also facilitate mentoring and the sharing of knowledge. We help build relationships between democratic actors and institutions across the political spectrum.
We currently implement programmes across more than 30 countries around the world as well as regional programmes which operate across countries.
Alongside our programmes, WFD supports the international work of UK political parties. The four UK political party programmes are:
- The Conservatives WFD Programme
- The Labour WFD Programme
- The SNP WFD Programme
- The Multi-Party Office
Themes we work on
Our work on accountability and transparency helps make sure laws and public spending are effective and improve people's lives.
We support electoral integrity by encouraging reforms that contribute to free and fair elections and organising election observation.
Our environmental democracy programmes help bring about the action needed to address climate change.
We are helping decision-makers include and consider people who are often overlooked or discriminated against, such as LGBT+ people or people with disabilities.
We help to open up access to decision-making, from supporting parliaments to communicate with the people they represent to advising on citizens' assemblies.
We support women leaders to fully and equally participate in decision-making, an essential step in bringing about better outcomes for everyone - including women and girls.
