Resources
WFD produces research that aims to build an evidence base for and improve the quality of democracy assistance. We also generate policy that contributes new tools for democracy support, as well as guides for parliaments, civil society and democracy support practitioners.
Browse our archive of resources below.
See how deliberative processes could save democracy with our guide
This guide is for decision-makers who want to be inspired by new and innovative ways to bring citizens to the heart of the decision-making process.
This paper proposes one assessment framework to analyse the institutional characteristics and functioning of independent oversight institutions and regulatory agencies and their relationship to parliament.
01 February 2019 | Briefing
This guide provides practical guidance for organizing post-legislative scrutiny inquiries in parliament.
23 July 2018 | Guide
This comparative study describes the process and reasons for Post-Legislative Scrutiny, presents relevant facts and trends in selected countries, and identifies opportunities relevant to the parliamentary strengthening programming of the Westminster foundation for democracy (WFD) and other democracy assistance organizations.
23 July 2018 | Study
This paper discusses Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Operating Space in the EAC, restrictions on CSO operating space, the key drivers and impact of the restrictions on CSOs and CSO operating space from a country perspective.
23 July 2018 | Report
What are the best practices and most efficient ways of achieving good governance in the Western Balkans? Can the same approach be used in all countries? How are their systems alike and what sets them apart?
23 July 2018 | Study
What are the best practices and most efficient ways of achieving good governance in the Western Balkans? Can the same approach be used in all countries? How are their systems alike and what sets them apart?
23 July 2018 | Study
What are the best practices and most efficient ways of achieving good governance in the Western Balkans? Can the same approach be used in all countries? How are their systems alike and what sets them apart?
23 July 2018 | Study
What are the best practices and most efficient ways of achieving good governance in the Western Balkans? Can the same approach be used in all countries? How are their systems alike and what sets them apart?
23 July 2018 | Study
What are the best practices and most efficient ways of achieving good governance in the Western Balkans? Can the same approach be used in all countries? How are their systems alike and what sets them apart?
23 July 2018 | Study
Governments seeking to close political space have a number of tools at their disposal. One popular tactic is to suppress civil society by restricting foreign funding, controlling registration and imposing onerous reporting requirements. Parliaments often aid and abet executives in this process, even in purportedly democratic states. This paper examines when parliaments protect political space by rejecting restrictive civil society laws. In doing so, it identifies several factors that shape the success (or failure) of international efforts to motivate legislatures to defend democracy.
19 July 2018 | Briefing
Published in 2017, this manual is designed to help support the experienced researchers to deliver training courses to the new or junior staff members, providing guidance on the important tasks: enquires, writing briefings, and an introduction to the core policies underlying parliamentary research work.
09 November 2017 | Guide
Democracy promoters cannot avoid these trade-offs, but with systematic evaluation of past programmes they can navigate them more effectively. This policy paper draws on the Westminster Foundation for Democracy’s experience in parliamentary strengthening to suggest how this might be done.
05 September 2017 | Briefing
This report presents a summary of key themes and findings discussed throughout the conference. The report also includes a comprehensive set of recommendations that were agreed upon by all participants to address the regional challenges related to the cost of politics.
05 September 2017 | Report
This report aims to begin the process of examining issues around the cost of politics- with a view to identifying appropriate policy and other responses that both national authorities and civil society groups, and the donor community, can consider
26 August 2017 | Report
This report aims to begin the process of examining issues around the cost of politics- with a view to identifying appropriate policy and other responses that both national authorities and civil society groups, and the donor community, can consider
26 August 2017 | Report