Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD)’s locally led teams in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have made a significant impact across the region over the past year. Their efforts have strengthened legislative accountability and transparency, promoted democratic engagement in environmental and climate issues, and supported the inclusion of young people in politics.

Below are some key highlights of our recent work in the region:

Algeria

Supporting communication efforts

WFD worked in partnership with the Council of the Nation (the Upper House of the Algerian Parliament) to strengthen institutional capacity through joint initiatives. To strengthen citizens’ access to information and improve institutional transparency, the Council of the Nation began implementing several key recommendations of a communication strategy developed jointly with WFD. This included launching a new official website and YouTube channel, as well as appointing dedicated communication staff to support public engagement. These efforts contributed to more efficient internal systems for parliamentary communication, outreach and knowledge management. The Council led the implementation process, reflecting strong institutional ownership of the programme and its outcomes, while WFD as a trusted partner provided tailored technical support to accompany this transformation..  

Jordan

Supporting institutional development and knowledge dissemination

In collaboration with the Jordanian House of Representatives, WFD undertook a review of the parliament’s Centre for Strategic and Legislative Studies, the key body responsible for providing information, research and analysis to MPsA number of follow-up actions have been agreed, including the development of an operational plan to translate the review’s recommendations into actionable outcomes—demonstrating strong institutional support. In addition, WFD supported the Centre to access legal and legislative information tools that underpin parliamentary research and scrutiny.

To strengthen knowledge and understanding around the purpose, structure, and activities of some female specific forums, as well as to support induction of women of MPs in the new parliamentary term, WFD also produced and disseminated two publications: ‘The Regulatory Framework for Jordanian Women Parliamentarians’ and ‘Jordanian Women Parliamentarians Forum’. Additionally, WFD raised awareness amongst MPs and parliamentary staff of the parliament’s role and good practices in relation to financial oversight and public debt management through the translation and distribution of a series of guides., and supported the Centre in enhancing access to legal and legislative information tools that underpin parliamentary research and scrutiny.

Supporting the political leadership of young people and women

The WFD team designed a Political Leadership Development Programme, to be rolled out throughout 2025-26, which will support young MPs and women MPs to be more effective and visible in their roles. The programme will strengthen the knowledge, skills, capacity and networks of up to 21 MPs including through support to individual projects. WFD also delivered training and developed a handbook to strengthen the social media presence of youth and women MPs, noting that this is a key tool for visibility and public – particularly youth – engagement.

Lebanon

Supporting legislative strategy

WFD worked with the Lebanese Parliament’s Women and Children Committee to develop its strategy and annual workplan. The strategy and workplan set out clear legislative and oversight priorities for the year ahead, enabling the committee to better organise its work and focus its time. 

Engaging young people in politics

WFD supported young representatives from civil society organisations to finalise position papers on key policy issues including the public maritime law, protections against sexual harassment, and the management of natural resource exploitation. WFD will facilitate engagement between the young people and relevant parliamentary committees so that their perspectives are considered in committees’ legislative work.

Intergenerational research

In response to shifting political dynamics, WFD launched an intergenerational research study on Lebanon’s future vision and social contract. The initiative – which will continue throughout 2025 and in to 2026 – seeks to capture perspectives from across Lebanese society, ensuring that youth voices are considered alongside those of other groups in determining the decisions and priorities that will shape Lebanon’s future. 

Morocco

Engaging young people in politics

In collaboration with the House of Representatives, WFD’s youth inclusion programme equipped young people from political parties and civil society organisations with the skills and knowledge they need to effectively engage with parliament, including developing policy papers to be taken forward by legislators. The programme also provided opportunities for the Moroccan Parliament to learn about good practices for youth inclusion implemented by the UK parliament.

Promoting democratic action on climate and the environment 

WFD piloted a programme focused on environmental democracy, aimed at helping the Moroccan Parliament play a more active role in environmental governance. The programme built the skills of parliamentary staff in post-legislative scrutiny (PLS) of climate and environmental legislation, and developed a mapping of civil society organisations working on environmental and climate issues with whom MPs can connect to inform their legislative and oversight work.  

Regional initiatives

Supporting women’s political leadership 

WFD partnered with the Coalition of Women MPs from Arab Countries to Combat Violence Against Women (the Coalition) to raise awareness of the Arab Declaration to Combat Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), adopted by the League of Arab States in 2022. In Algeria and Jordan, WFD and the Coalition worked alongside national parliaments to host sessions introducing the Declaration to MPs and parliamentary leaders. These events highlighted the connection between regional frameworks and national action, and enhanced the visibility of the Coalition as a key player working to address issues of VAWG in the MENA region.