Strengthening democracy around the world | Westminster Foundation for Democracy

Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) is the UK public body dedicated to strengthening democracy around the world. For more than 30 years we have actively helped democracies to grow stronger, so that freedom and prosperity can flourish. We help solve problems of democracy so that democracies can address challenges that people face around the world – from climate change to corruption.

Discover our strategy

Discover WFD at 30

Where we work

We operate directly in more than 30 countries and territories across the world.

What we do

Information about our programmes, research and policy.

Research

We produce research that aims to build an evidence base for and improve the quality of democracy support.

Resources

Our resources, including practical guides, reports, briefings and studies.

Events

Browse through the latest upcoming events, or access content from past events.

Who we are

Read about our history and values.

Themes we work on

Accountability and transparency

We are supporting parliaments to check how governments spend public money and assess the impact of legislation.

Elections

We support electoral integrity, by encouraging reforms that contribute to free and fair elections and organising election observation.

Environmental democracy

Our environmental democracy programmes help bring about the action needed to address climate change.

Inclusion

Our work on inclusion focuses on the political participation and leadership of young people, LGBT+ people, and persons with disabilities.

Openness and participation

We help to open up access to decision-making, from helping parliaments speak to citizens to advising on citizens' assemblies.

Women's political leadership

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.

Latest

Two people holding up a roof, a woman holding up a heart with a thriving society inside, a woman crossing a bridge to a better future

Commentary

...And girls

It is important that we ask about women's rights and needs and girls rights and needs in the same breath, argues WFD's Magdalena Randall-Schab. Doing so will help us strengthen the leadership of women and girls.

Story

Scoping the progress of advancing women’s political leadership in Morocco

On International Women's Day 2022, WFD launched a 12-month-long project aimed to advance women's political participation and leadership in the Moroccan House of Representatives. One year down the line – as we celebrate International Women’s Day in 2023 – we look at the outcomes achieved through this Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) supported programme.

Commentary

Let us reimagine politics as the work of women

It is our responsibility to reimagine the political system designed around men and gendered ideas of leadership, argues WFD's Cecillia Makonyola. If we cannot imagine it, we will never have a system that values women’s labour in all its forms. Beginning on International Women’s Day, let's reimagine politics as it should be; the work of women.

News

Armenia’s energy security policy discussion commences

Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and the American University of Armenia (AUA) Energy Transitions for Climate Solutions Initiative (Energy4Climate) recently organized a roundtable discussion on Armenia's energy security. The programme aimed at creating a dialogue to examine the potential of enhancing Armenia’s energy security through national policies and strategies.

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