Where We Work

  1. Africa
  2. Asia-Pacific
  3. Eurasia
  4. Europe
  5. Latin America and the Caribbean
  6. Middle East and North Africa
A man stamping his thumb to vote

Africa

IRI is working to counter the sentiment that democracy is in retreat in Africa. Evidence for this belief includes backsliding in Ethiopia…

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Countries in Region

People meet for Benin IRI

Benin

To counter democratic backsliding in Benin, once one of Africa’s most stable democracies, IRI is promoting political pluralism, increasing the…

A man stands in-between two ballot boxes

Burkina Faso

In recent years, Burkina Faso – the “land of honest men” – has suffered spiraling conflict involving violent extremist organizations…

Streets of Cameroon

Cameroon

Politics in Cameroon are marred by low voter turnout, accusations of irregularities, and a crackdown on Anglophone separatists in the…

Group of Women Speaking in Central African Republic

Central African Republic

The Central African Republic (CAR) is a small, landlocked, politically unstable country wracked by political and ethnic violence. According to…

Chad

Following the assassination of President Idriss Déby and the resulting coup in August 2021, IRI has closely monitored the evolving…

Democratic Republic of the Congo

After accusations of closed-door, undemocratic deal-making that ushered in the change in presidents in 2019 in the Democratic Republic of…

DIDO coffee chat Amhara

Ethiopia

Following mass protests and historic democratic reforms, IRI is working with Ethiopian citizens, civil society, and media to promote the…

People gather to watch the count of ballots at a polling station

Ghana

Ghana is a stable multiparty democracy in West Africa, albeit one that sometimes faces charges of democratic backsliding and complaints…

Voters queue at a polling station

Kenya

Kenya is heading into important elections amidst constitutional challenges and a push to increase the number of parliamentarians in the…

A woman prepares to cast her ballot

Mozambique

More than half of Mozambique’s population lives below the poverty line, and corruption is a major concern. Tensions between the…

A Nigerian woman casts her vote

Nigeria

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country, rich in oil, rife with accusations of corruption. Nigeria is a political and economic…

A woman casts her vote at a polling station in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone

While Sierra Leone has held regular multiparty elections since the 2002 end of its civil war, opposition parties face police…

Women queue to vote for Somalilands elections

Somalia/ Somaliland

Somaliland is a small autonomous region in northern Somalia, where the government’s decision to postpone the next election cycle has…

Sudanese election staff sit behind a sealed ballot box

Sudan

Sudan has been working toward forming a transitional legislative council, drafting a new constitution, putting a peace agreement in place,…

A man prepares to cast his ballot at a polling station

Tanzania

Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi, has been in power for over half a century. Though the country has held…

Gambians dancing at political rally

The Gambia

After 22 years of authoritarian rule by President Yahya Jammeh, in 2017 The Gambia began to move toward a democratic…

Uganda poll worker on phone

Uganda

Uganda has been governed by the same party and president since 1986, and the country’s civil society and independent media…

Anti-Corruption Protest Signs

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe held a presidential election in 2018, and though election observers called it deeply flawed, it did give former Vice…

Maldives Voter

Asia-Pacific

In many ways, the Asia-Pacific region is a bellwether for the world’s democratic development. It contains more than half the…

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Countries in Region

Group meets to create poster on the pillars of governance

Bangladesh

As one of the most densely populated countries on earth, Bangladesh needs a government that is responsive to over 160…

Burma Protest

Burma

There are few countries that have witnessed the political turmoil that has rocked Burma over the last three decades. In…

Cambodia

A country rich with history and culture, Cambodia sits at a pivotal point in their democratic development. With an emphasis…

Students Waving Chinese Flag

China

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is one of the biggest threats to democracy on the world stage. As the challenges…

Fiji Voters stand in line

Fiji

Though the Republic of Fiji has become a regional leader, from the mid-80s to the early 2000s the country was…

Indonesia Celebrate Flag

Indonesia

Indonesia is a vibrant and diverse country with over 270 million people. IRI’s work there supports political parties and civil…

Korea DMZ

Korea

Since IRI cannot work in closed North Korea, its work focuses on building the intellectual, social, and emotional competencies of…

Two people in straw hats smiling at each other wile holding grain

Laos

As a one-party state with strong restrictions on civil liberties, the people of Laos face many obstacles to a democratic…

Polling Station in Malaysia

Malaysia

In Malaysia, IRI supports initiatives that advocate more inclusive civic, political and electoral engagement, especially among the country’s most underrepresented…

Woman speaking at Maldives Decentralization Symposium

Maldives

The Maldives is one of the most dispersed countries in the world. As a nation consisting of 196 inhabited islands…

Election Mongolia

Mongolia

Located between Russia and China, a vibrant democracy in Mongolia can serve as a model for other aspiring nations hoping…

Group of People Wearing Masks in Nepal

Nepal

IRI has worked in Nepal since 2018 conducting legislative strengthening, civil society, and women’s and youth empowerment programs. After a…

A burqa-clad woman casts her vote during Pakistan's general election

Pakistan

The geo-strategic location of Pakistan plays a significant role in influencing and shaping the dynamics of South Asia. IRI has…

Bougainville referendum Hako observers along with children Pacific Islands

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has been holding regular elections since independence in 1975 but the 20-year civil war that took…

People Power Revolution Anniversary Collective Action in Philippines

Philippines

A longtime strategic partner to the United States, the Philippines has experienced an uneven pathway to building democratic institutions and…

Samoa

Once considered the Pacific Islands’ most stable democracy, in 2021 Samoa’s ruling political party and the world’s second-longest ruling head…

Malaita YLTS group photo in Pacific Islands

Solomon Islands

Despite sporadic but frequent years of civil unrest, including the most recent riots in 2021, Solomon Islands continues to hold…

ELA members demonstrating 'democracy at work' while clearing a community dumping ground in coordination with local government authorities.

Sri Lanka

Situated in a geo-strategic location in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka and the U.S. maintain strong bilateral relations based on…

Election rally in the rain

Taiwan

With its vibrant democracy and civil society, Taiwan is a world leader in innovating to create positive social change and…

Thailand

IRI has operated consistently in Thailand to strengthen the ability of Thai political parties to effectively and democratically govern, bolster…

Voter with ink on finger

Timor-Leste

IRI Timor-Leste provides leadership training and support to rising, forward-looking leaders. IRI’s approach includes media releases and talk shows featuring…

Vanuatu

Since gaining independence in 1980, the archipelago country of Vanuatu has elected only five women to its 50-person parliament. Through…

A lady holds up a sign in protest; the sign says "Belarus Free"

Eurasia

IRI has supported democratization efforts in Eurasia for 30 years, where the spirit and desire for democracy is evident on…

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Countries in Region

Armenians gather in the capital Yerevan's Republic Square

Armenia

Armenia is in a period of transition, with the government promising to tackle issues ranging from a lack of transparency in policy making, corruption, and weak…

Thousands of people gather to rally in Minsk

Belarus

Despite many democratic challenges in Belarus, IRI has worked with political opposition parties and movements since 1997. Since fraudulent presidential…

Georgians rally to demand the release of the jailed ex-president

Georgia

For over 20 years, IRI has partnered with Georgian political actors, youth, and electoral stakeholders to assist the country in holding to a democratic trajectory,…

Kazakhstan

IRI has worked with civil society in Kazakhstan since the 2019 political transition, helping organizations analyze and advocate for reforms…

A woman holding a child casts her ballot

Kyrgyz Republic

After two revolutions against authoritarian presidents (in 2005 and 2010), Kyrgyzstan now has a parliamentary government, but weak governing coalitions…

Voter casts ballot in Moldova

Moldova

Moldova holds competitive elections, and the rights of free assembly, expression, and religion are protected. Pervasive corruption and a weak…

People Protesting On Street With Ukrainian Flag

Ukraine

With 30 years of independence, Ukraine is both united and diverse, with a strong sense of national identity often threatened…

Uzbekistan Chambers

Uzbekistan

Since 2019, IRI has worked with the Oliy Majlis, the lower house of parliament of the Republic of Uzbekistan, connecting legislators with international peers and experts to encourage them to improve and…

Belarus opposition supporters

Europe

Since the collapse of communism in Europe in the 1990s, democracy has seen mixed results, at best, in Southeastern Europe.…

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Countries in Region

Albania

Since the fall of communism in the early 1990s, Albania has made enormous strides in transitioning from dictatorship to democracy,…

Bosnia and Herzegovina

IRI is working in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to promote a multi-party political system that is responsive to citizens’ needs…

Anti-Corruption Protest In Bulgaria

Bulgaria

IRI is focusing most of its work in Bulgaria on fighting political corruption. IRI’s programming in the country is aimed…

Kosovo

Though Kosovo has a dynamic political scene, the country’s political parties still need support in their efforts to respond to…

Individuals presenting poster

Montenegro

IRI is supporting meaningful youth participation in politics by working with key governing and opposition parties to strengthen Montenegrin party…

North Macedonia Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Follow IRI Briefing on Citizens Local Needs and Issues

North Macedonia

North Macedonia, a parliamentary republic, celebrated three decades of independence and multi-party democracy in 2021. The country has been a…

Serbian Protest

Serbia

IRI is working to improve party responsiveness to citizens’ needs by promoting political competition, pluralism, and a democratic culture. Specifically,…

A large group in Turkey gathers outside

Turkey

IRI is promoting political competition by helping political leaders with policy development and advocacy, and by cultivating a new generation…

Countries in Region

Argentina Election Crowd

Argentina

For nearly four decades, Argentina has been a democratic country in a region known for authoritarian rule. Bolstering the democratic…

An indigenous woman signs after casting her vote

Bolivia

The Movement Towards Socialism (Movimiento al Socialismo, MAS) party has returned to power with Luis Arce’s 2020 presidential win—amplifying long-simmering…

A polling station in Jamaica

Caribbean

IRI is increasing youth leaders’ political participation and strengthening government accountability in the Caribbean by equipping youth with the capacity…

IRI WiGov pilot workshop in Bogota, 2019

Colombia

IRI helps support democratic processes and good governance in Colombia through work with the government, civil society organizations (CSOs), and…

Cuba Demonstration in Havana

Cuba

Cuba remains the Western Hemisphere’s longest standing dictatorship. Cubans are isolated from other societies by sea and from one another…

Woman voting in Ecuador

Ecuador

Since 2017, Ecuadorians have redoubled efforts to strengthen their democratic system. To support these efforts, IRI in Ecuador works with…

Information booth

El Salvador

The current political context of El Salvador is marked by internal conflict, corruption, and inequality of opportunities. Supporting strong democratic institutions and participatory processes to engage…

An indigenous woman holding a baby casts her vote

Guatemala

Since the Peace Accords in 1996 that ended the country’s civil war, Guatemala has worked to overcome ongoing challenges of…

Guyanese citizens line up to vote

Guyana

After the conclusion of a tumultuous process of Guyana’s 2020 Election, trust in electoral and governance systems has begun to…

Haiti

For years, Haiti has been plagued by political instability, economic hardship, and natural disasters, among other crises. IRI seeks to…

Previews of Elections in Honduras

Honduras

Honduras has faced numerous challenges to its democratic development and stability in the decade since this 2009 coup against then-President Manuel Zelaya including…

A man walks past electoral propagand

Mexico

The United States and Mexico relationship is critical to regional stability, security, and prosperity. IRI has worked with state and…

Nicaragua

While Nicaragua shares few of the public safety challenges of its northern neighbors, electoral irregularities, constitutional manipulations and the declining…

CSO Training IRI Panama

Panama

After the fall of the Noriega military dictatorship, IRI was one of the first international non-governmental organizations to visit Panama…

Meeting in Peru, 2016

Peru

IRI began its work in Peru when democracy was reinstated just after the turn of the century. Since then, the…

Venezuela

For more than a decade, respect for civil liberties and space for political dissent has continued to erode in Venezuela.…

Countries in Region

Algerian pro-democracy demonstrator

Algeria

As Africa’s largest country and with the Mediterranean to the north and the Sahara to the south, Algeria has a…

Iraq

Situated in the heart of the Middle East with a diverse population and rich history, Iraq has built a democratic…

A girl holds a Jordanian national flag

Jordan

To bolster institutional capacity and inclusive, responsive policymaking in Jordan, IRI partners with subnational government representatives and demand-side actors. IRI…

Lebanese demonstrators wave national flags

Lebanon

Corruption deeply plagues Lebanese politics with the same ruling class retaining power, based on sectarian allegiances, since the end of…

Libya Marks 10th Anniversary Of Arab Spring Uprising

Libya

In the midst of a challenging political transition, IRI in Libya understands the importance of supporting citizen-centered governance and works…

A Moroccan woman casts her vote

Morocco

Since 1997, IRI’s promotion of participatory governance in Morocco has revolved around skills-based training, civil society academies, technical support to…

Syria

In the midst of an ongoing civil war and an unsuccessful constitutional committee, IRI Syria supports civil society actors in…

Tunisians wave national flags

Tunisia

IRI has been working with civic and political leaders in Tunisia since the 2011 Revolution, which ended decades of single-party…