Governing Democratic-
ally

IRI addresses corruption through a three-step process.

First, we conduct rigorous analysis of the local context, based on proven methodologies.

Second, using our Vulnerabilities to Corruption Approach (VCA), the Institute assesses weaknesses in local governance and supports public officials and citizen groups in the design and implementation of context-specific responses to improve transparency.

Third, IRI then leverages our extensive relationships with stakeholders to build trust and receptiveness to anti-corruption reforms. 

Constant innovation is essential to staying ahead of kleptocrats and combatting corruption. To address this gap and equip local partners with the tools they need to succeed, the Institute conducts original research on tactics used by corrupt actors and tests and scales proven approaches to counter them. Through this work, IRI produces cutting-edge research products and tools aimed at development practitioners and stakeholders on the ground. IRI’s Kleptocrat’s Playbook  catalogues tactics that kleptocrats deploy to strategically expand opportunities for public resource theft and to suppress efforts to expose and counter kleptocracy. It helps journalists, citizen groups, and policymakers to better anticipate, identify, and counter kleptocrats at home and abroad. Our Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists is designed to further increase their capacity to conduct anti-corruption research, build alliances, develop a successful reform agenda, and leverage relationships with the media to promote public scrutiny of corruption.

Democratic governance describes a system in which citizens meaningfully participate in planning and decision-making, and government officials are accountable and responsive to citizen needs. IRI programs provide technical expertise and facilitate initiatives – led by the government and citizen groups – aimed at establishing and improving open government practices. IRI also trains citizen groups in methods to effectively engage with the government offices and elected representatives. This enables them to channel public demands and demand accountability, including through citizen budgets and participatory budgeting.

Legislative strengthening programs provide tools and resources for legislatures at various stages of democratic development so that they can achieve their full potential. IRI bolsters the abilities, capacities, and independence of legislatures through technical assistance that supports legislators in fulfilling their policymaking, budgetary, oversight, and representational roles for the benefit of their constituents.

At its core, legislative strengthening encourages and enables legislatures to take their rightful place as a co-equal branch of government providing a check on the executive branch. Through a partnership model, IRI’s programs create a network of partners committed to emphasizing the role of parliament in democratic governance.

As co-implementer of the Institute for Representative Government (IRG), IRI has been one of world leaders in supporting legislative strengthening. Through our work with the House Democracy Partnership (HDP) has contributed to the legislative institutional development of 22 partner parliaments and trained thousands of legislators and legislative staff, while IRG has conducted almost 100 programs for nearly 1,000 foreign legislators and officials from all over the world.

IRI builds the capacity of local government officials and citizen groups to generate more accountable, effective, and responsive subnational governments. IRI implements customized programs that address the capacity development needs of subnational institutions, and supports citizen groups in their efforts to secure accountability from subnational governments through civic awareness campaigns; individualized toolkits to improve the understanding and functioning of local governments; and by connecting citizens with their representatives to enhance their ability to advocate for themselves.