IFES

09/03/2026

Webinar Alert! Weds, Sept. 9 | 14:30 CET

"Ukraine’s Post-War Elections Challenge: Ensuring a Credible, Secure, and Inclusive Process," hosted by the European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE) and Civil Network OPORA.

The full-scale invasion reshaped where Ukrainians actually live relative to where they used to vote — raising questions about electoral readiness and social cohesion for the country’s first post-war elections.

IFES' Global Democracy Data Advisor Dr. Cassandra Emmons is a speaker in this timely webinar that will explore key questions, including:

• How can Ukraine prepare for free and fair elections after the conflict ends, given the scale of internal and external displacement?

• What systems can ensure voting access for displaced citizens, including those abroad, and what legal and administrative gaps need to be closed beforehand?

• How can Ukraine preserve pluralism and public trust in electoral institutions during this transition?

Dr. Emmons will be joined by:
▪️ Olga Aivazovska, Head of the Board, Civil Network OPORA
▪️ Sergii Postivyi, Member, Central Election Commission of Ukraine
▪️ Ulvi Akhundlu, Deputy Head, Election Department, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights[tbc]

Moderated by Tetyana Bohdanova, Senior Election Expert, Team Lead Network and Training, EPDE

Registration link in comments! ⤵️

08/28/2026

Peace starts local.

Across Papua New Guinea, religious leaders are trusted voices, neighborhood conveners, and sources of moral leadership. Ahead of the country’s 2027 elections, IFES is working with faith leaders to magnify that influence for peace.

Thirty leaders from the Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Seventh-day Adventist and Salvation Army communities came together for IFES’ People Against Violence in Elections (PAVE) program. Now, they’ll take that work home, training others and building a growing network of peace ambassadors across PNG.

Peaceful elections aren’t the responsibility of institutions alone. They’re also made possible by our neighbors, friends and faith leaders.

Read more at the link in comments. ⤵️

08/27/2026

Trust starts local.

Across Tunisia, 24 young leaders are showing what that looks like in practice: bringing citizens and local authorities together, listening to community needs, and turning dialogue into action.

The result? Stronger relationships. Greater trust. And communities where young people have a meaningful role in shaping what comes next.

Read how Tunisia’s Youth Community Leaders are creating change from the ground up. Link in comments. ⤵️

International Foundation for Electoral Systems - IFES Tunisia

08/24/2026

💙💛 Вітаємо з 35-річчям незалежності, Україно!

✊ 35 років тому Україна відновила свою незалежність і обрала шлях свободи, демократії та самостійного розвитку - сьогодні українці щодня відстоюють цей вибір.

🛡️ Особливу вдячність ми висловлюємо захисницям і захисникам України, які боронять нашу свободу, незалежність і право самим визначати майбутнє нашої держави. Їхня мужність дає Україні змогу захищати свою свободу, зберігати незалежність і з надією дивитися у майбутнє.

🙌 IFES Ukraine вірить, що відданість демократичним цінностям і принципам є критично важливими для сталого розвитку й процвітання держави. Саме тому ми, за підтримки European Union in Ukraine, Embassy of Sweden in Kyiv, Sida - Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete, Embassy of Ireland, Ukraine продовжуємо працювати над зміцненням демократичних процесів та інституцій в Україні.

🕊 Нехай 35-річчя незалежності надихає нас на нові звершення, зміцнює віру в перемогу та наближає Україну до мирного, демократичного й світлого майбутнього!

Слава Україні! 🇺🇦

08/20/2026

What gets people to participate in democracy? Read IFES’ latest report to find out!

08/12/2026

💡 What if deepfakes aren’t the biggest AI risk facing elections?

While manipulated images and videos dominate the headlines, AI is increasingly being integrated into the systems that make elections work: voter databases, biometric identification, election administration and the tools voters use to find information.

These applications may be less visible. But their consequences can be significant.

In a new piece for Rest of World, IFES Chief AI Adviser Lisa Poggiali, PhD and Samson Itodo examine these emerging risks and make the case for something still largely missing from the global conversation: elections need a seat at the AI governance table.

Read more from Lisa and Samson:

Deepfakes dominate headlines, but the real danger lies in opaque AI systems that make up election infrastructure.

08/11/2026

Democracy’s future is not predetermined.

Authoritarian actors are becoming more sophisticated in how they consolidate power and weaken democratic institutions.

But engaged citizens, resilient institutions and sustained international support can reinforce one another to strengthen democracy.

In a new op-ed for LINK Media, IFES President & CEO Tony Banbury examines the global contest between democracy and authoritarianism. And why governments, the private sector, philanthropy, civil society and citizens all have a role to play.

“Democracy is not losing. But it is under siege.”

Read the op-ed:

Written by Anthony Banbury, president and chief executive officer of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems Is democracy winning or losing worldwide? That is the question I addressed in the Annual Lecture on Asian Democracy at the University of Louisville’s Center for Asian Democracy. ...

08/08/2026

IFES’ Election FAQs for Zambia’s August 13 election is online! Visit IFES online to download this definitive guide today.

08/05/2026

07/29/2026

In July 2026, IFES marked 39 years of supporting free elections and democratic governance around the world! Alongside partners in over 140 countries, IFES shares a vision for a world where people are free, societies are democratic, and elections are fair. TOGETHER we build resilient democracies that deliver for all!