The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

NDI has been engaged in Colombia since 1999, contributing to political reform processes through the participation of young Colombian political leaders from traditional and emerging parties in NDI’s regional Political Leadership Program. Following extensive reforms in 2003 that fundamentally changed the political system, NDI established a field presence to provide technical assistance to parties who have engaged in internal processes to change party structures, statutes and practices.

Since 2007, NDI has supported the implementation of party workplans on organizational strengthening, internal democracy practices, outreach to new sectors, and enhancing the political participation and skills of representatives of underrepresented sectors including youth, women, Afro-Colombian and indigenous peoples. Together with Colombian and international partners, NDI hosts forums on political and electoral policy reform and is implementing a pilot program to increase citizen participation in the department of Chocó, which has the highest poverty and illiteracy rates in the country. Chocó has the country’s largest per capita Afro-Colombian population, a traditionally underrepresented group in Colombia’s political system.

Political Context

Political Party Reform

Citizen Participation

Past Programs

Contact Information