In recent years, the development of coastal regions in the Republic of Albania has taken a priority for the government and the private sector. Often, such developmental plans do not consider the environmental impact they might have for the specific area and beyond. The affected communities and other stakeholders are not included in the consultation processes and their concerns are not heard.

Since the establishment of the Human Rights and Gender Equality Network of Committees (HUGEN) in the Western Balkans in 2019, more than 200 members of parliaments and 40 parliamentary staff members, from 8 participating parliaments, have been cooperating on improving human rights and gender laws and policies.

Open societies around the world and the international system that supports them are under growing threat. This Foreign Policy Centre (FPC) and Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) publication provides detailed analysis and practical ideas for how the UK can meet this challenge with a ‘renewed commitment to (being) a force for good in the world-defending openness, democracy and human rights’ necessary for ‘shaping the open international order of the future’.

Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) in Serbia and the Institute for Research and Innovation (IRI) conducted a research analysis on budgetary allocations for youth and youth organisations at the local level in Serbia. The findings from this research also include specific data on how youth organisations function and what their cooperation with local level institutions looks like.

This guide from Wesminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and the newDemocracy Foundation is designed to support the needs of elected representatives and their advisors—those who would like to strengthen how elected politicians engage with their voters. It is meant for those decision-makers who want to be inspired by new and innovative ways to bring citizens to the heart of the decision.

What skills and qualities do parliamentarians need to be able to promote inclusive change? WFD’s new research by Dr Victoria Hasson and Dr Rebecca Gordon identified five key skills and three qualities which are utilised by parliamentarians to achieve it.

This briefing paper makes recommendations, that when followed ensure risks can be addressed more effectively before and during future crises. First the paper provides guidance as to how best to prepare for a future crisis, from this the report suggests actions that should be taken once the crisis has begun. These recommendations specifically focus on reducing the impact crises have on elections.

In the third publication of WFD’s anti-bribery and integrity series, a comparative analysis is carried out of the UK Bribery Act (2010) and anti-corruption legislation in Ukraine, Indonesia and Kenya.

A new report by WFD compiles information from desk-based research and interviews with relevant stakeholders. A variety of examples from neighbouring countries in the region such as South Korea, Japan and from countries in other regions such as UK, New Zealand, Jordan, and Kuwait are also incorporated. Taking all this information into account this report provides recommendations as to how Bangsamoro’s government can become better equipped to manage corruption.

WFD published an analysis looking into the impact of the pandemic on persons with disabilities in North Macedonia, produced by the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights. The analysis was presented to the public in June 2021, in the presence of Minister for Labour and Social Affairs Jagoda Shahpaska and British Deputy Ambassador Dominic Otway.

The research shows that persons with disabilities and persons who are care givers are in marginalized position, additionally worsened by the crisis. The pandemic brought to the surface the weaknesses of the system and the inequal access to public services for these groups. The data was collected though questionnaires for institutions, civil society organisations and a poll with 219 respondents who are persons with disabilities or persons or caregivers.

Britain has an opportunity for international leadership at this pivotal moment in its history: The UK’s interests, values, resources and influence call for a leadership role in supporting democratic governance and confronting authoritarianism.

WFD has teamed up with the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) to launch a new website to host our research on the cost of running for and staying in elected office in different countries around the world.  

The right to vote is unfortunately still not completely accessible to all citizens in North Macedonia. 76 percent of voting stations have stairs and on half of them (49% percent) there are no access ramps. One third of access ramps cannot be used, due to improper inclination and width. These are some of the findings of the monitoring of parliamentary elections 2020 in North Macedonia conducted by persons with disabilities, that was published this week.

This manual provides a guide on how to incorporate an intersectional analysis in gender equality related issues, in order to work towards upholding human rights in the Maldives.

Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA), and Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA) have developed this policy brief to guide on key issues that the 11th Parliament of Uganda needs to consider on COVID19 and women/girls, during the exercise of its four functions of representation, legislation, oversight over the executive and the judiciary.