International IDEA

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

Democracy, the rule of law and human rights lie at the core of Finnish foreign and development policies. Democracy issues are receiving increasing attention globally due to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the Summits for Democracy hosted by the United States. Finland is a member of the U.N. Human Rights Council in 2022-2024, which provides an opportunity for Finland to promote civil and political rights. Furthermore, peaceful and democratic societies are one of Finland's development policy priorities, through which Finland will contribute to strong, representative political and judicial institutions in developing countries. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) is the leading multilateral organization focusing solely on democracy support. IDEA promotes democracy in several developing countries and emerging democracies by implementing democracy support projects and building global knowledge base on democracy. Finland is a founding member of International IDEA - established in 1995 - and acted as Vice Chair of the organization in 2022. Finland provided core funding in 2001-2015 and 2021-2022, and has also supported IDEA's regional programmes in Africa and country programme in Nepal. Currently Finland is funding IDEA's federal democracy programme in Myanmar. The core funding provided for 2023 and 2024 will support the implementation of International IDEA's new institutional strategy. The purpose is to support especially 1) the roll-out and implementation of the new digitalization and democracy workstream as well as 2) Ukraine's preparations for upcoming presidential elections. Finland's core contribution to IDEA in 2022 already supported the preparation of the workstream. www.idea.int