Resources

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.
An woman sitting at a table reads WFD research on access to health services in Sri Lanka
Caption
An audience member reads WFD research on access to health services in Sri Lanka,
Browse our archive of resources below.
The front cover of the report which has the words how not to engage with authoritarian states in large letters above the names of the authors and the WFD and FCDO logos

This report examines how states that are committed to strengthening democracy engage with authoritarian states – and how this can strengthen authoritarianism. It outlines how pro-democracy governments can better engage with authoritarian states to avoid doing democratic harm and ultimately strengthen democracy around the world.

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Location
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When to engage with an electoral management body
This report explains what an EMB is, it discusses the political context in which EMBs operate, and it considers several risks that engagement with EMBs can pose for international partners and EMBs themselves.
| Report
Cover photo of a report on when to engage with EMBs
The cost of politics in Solomon Islands
This study adopted WFD's “cost of politics” approach, which focuses on the expenditures of individuals, rather than parties, across the entire electoral cycle, in Solomon Islands.
| Report
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Understanding Parallel Vote Tabulation: An explainer for international partners
This briefing is intended to support diplomatic missions’ understanding of an election observation methodology known as parallel vote tabulation (PVT).
| Report
Cover photo of a report understanding parallel vote tabulation
Key issues and risks throughout the electoral cycle - Graphic
An summary of the key principles, issues and risks inherent to each stage of the election cycle.
| Other
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Key issues and risks throughout the electoral cycle
This paper provides an overview of the electoral cycle and the key principles, issues and risks inherent in each stage of the cycle.
| Report
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International election observation and the role of a Diplowatch
This paper provides a technical explanation of how diplomats can contribute to election observation through a method known as Diplowatch.
| Report
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Using digital technology for democratic resilience, transformation and impact
This Learning Paper examines how digital technologies can strengthen democracy, what it takes to do this effectively, what risks to avoid, and how to respond to digital threats that undermine democratic institutions and processes.
| Other
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Post-legislative scrutiny in comparative perspective
This resource presents examples of different practices to inspire parliaments around the world and enable them to make informed choices on how to initiate and/or strengthen ex-post legislative impact assessments and strengthen the legislative and oversight roles of parliaments.
| Report
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Functional Analysis of how the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography, and Youth in North Macedonia should take over responsibilities related to youth affairs
This analysis has been prepared to assist the new Ministry of Social Policy, Demography, and Youth in North Macedonia in taking the necessary steps to begin its work in the youth sector.
| Report
cover photo of functional analysis
A progressive realist approach to countering the manipulative use of AI
This brief outlines the dual nature of AI as both a democratic opportunity and threat, highlighting how manipulative AI use endangers democratic rights and national security. It advocates a "progressive realist" approach to building resilience against these threats through strategic coalitions and makes policy recommendations for countering the manipulative use of AI.
| Briefing
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PDMAT 2.0: Public Debt Management Assessment Tool for parliamentarians
The Public Debt Management Assessment Tool (PDMAT) is an innovative framework to strengthen parliamentary oversight of public debt management worldwide. It supports parliaments in aligning debt management practices with international standards and promoting sustainable fiscal policies and provides a framework for evaluating public debt management practices.
| Other
Decorative
A guide to the Public Debt Management Assessment Tool for parliamentarians (PDMAT) 2.0
This guide to the public debt management assessment toolkit (PDMAT 2.0) complements the WFD's PDMAT 2.0 by offering a detailed exploration of the tool’s methodology, practical application, and alignment with global standards. It provides users with step-by-step instructions for conducting assessments, developing targeted recommendations, and designing capacity development initiatives.
| Guide
Decorative
How to reduce the cost of politics and strengthen democracy in Asia Pacific
This paper identifies six action areas to strengthen responses to the high cost of politics, based on discussions from the two-day Democracy Action Partnership (DAP) event held in Indonesia and hosted by WFD in December 2024.
| Report
DAP 2024 cost of politics report
Environmental Democracy in The Gambia: Towards National Climate Change Legislation
This report provides a comprehensive assessment of the gaps and challenges within The Gambia’s current legislation, policies, and strategies, along with recommendations for a new National Climate Change Act.
| Report
The Gambia gap assessment report
Public Debt Integrity Series: The role of parliaments in public debt oversight in Africa
Strengthening parliamentary oversight of public debt in Africa. A Joint Research Initiative by Westminster Foundation for Democracy and AFRODAD.
| Other
Decorative