In December 2024, Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) hosted its second Democracy Action Partnership (DAP) in Indonesia. This briefing paper expands on the insights and recommendations exchanged during the discussions which were attended by more than 100 civil society practitioners, parliamentarians, government officials, researchers, and representatives of electoral institutions. 

The focus was the threats posed to inclusive and accountable democracy by the growing cost of politics. A theme that cuts across a number of core areas of WFD’s work. It aligns with initiatives to strengthen elections and incremental changes that support improvements throughout the election cycle.

It also links with ongoing work to support enhanced participation of women in politics, one of several underrepresented groups affected by the high cost of politics.

This paper identifies six action areas to strengthen responses to the high cost of politics, based on discussions at the two-day DAP. This includes the critical importance of enhanced civic engagement and education, and how these can underpin, or take place alongside, reforms to the internal workings of political parties and enforcement of tailored regulatory regimes. Together, these initiatives can contribute to making politics more inclusive, accountable, and representative.