On April 11, 2021, Guillermo Lasso, businessman and member of the Creating Opportunities Movement (CREO) party won the Ecuadorian presidency with 52 percent of the vote in a process that was seen by its citizens as a more transparent, free and fair election.

Kyrgyzstan, known for its mountainous landscape and deposits of rare metals, is increasingly gaining recognition for another environmental factor: its air pollution. Air pollution in Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek, ranks as one of the worst levels in the world, and rates continue to rise. From November 2020 to February 2021, Bishkek’s citizens saw 32 days of hazardous air pollution, as measured by the Bishkek Air Quality Monitor at the U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan.

In June 2021, NDI launched a new website - ElectionsData.ge - that presents the final results, voter turnout, and other data from every Georgian election since 2008. The site presents public election and voter data, generously provided to NDI by Georgia’s Central Election Commission, to allow Georgian and English-language users to explore, analyze, and present Georgian election data through maps, graphs and downloadable formats. 

Olive oil is an integral part of Tunisia’s economy and livelihood, comprising half of the country's agricultural exports. Given that Tunisia is the second largest producer of the commodity globally, the industry generates a significant source of income, especially in rural areas. However, it simultaneously creates local waste management and environmental challenges.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the work of legislatures worldwide. As these institutions coped with measures intended to curb the spread of the virus, such as lockdowns and social distancing, they were met with new and unique challenges in fulfilling their constitutional mandates. During this time, the role of parliaments to hold governments accountable, pass effective legislation, and fulfill representative responsibilities became more important, because business as usual was disrupted on a scale rarely seen.  

Around the world, LGBTQI+ individuals are discriminated against and prevented from safely attaining their full rights as citizens. In Zimbabwe, pronounced criminalization and discrimination of the LGBTQI+ community has cultivated an environment of fear, exclusion and stigma that impedes their civic participation. NDI, through USAID-funding, is supporting the LGBTQI+ community to meaningfully participate in the 2023 Zimbabwe election process.

How the coalition was formed

NDI has been monitoring the dynamic online political environment in Moldova in the aftermath of Maia Sandu’s victory in the November 2020 presidential elections. President-elect Sandu campaigned on an explicit pro-EU and anti-corruption platform and has been a frequent target of hate speech and disinformation/misinformation attacks since her rise to political prominence several years ago.

As the world begins the slow process of rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic, societies must work harder than ever to safeguard democratic governance and overcome sustainable development challenges rooted in systemic inequality and exclusion. Because young people are disproportionately impacted and have the most to lose, their political participation and inclusion are pivotal. There are over 1 billion young people between the ages of 15 and 24 worldwide - half of whom are young women - with diverse lived experiences and political interests.

This month, the National Democratic Institute is celebrating Pride! In support of NDI’s commitment to increasing the inclusion of marginalized populations in political processes, we’re highlighting the essential work of partners who are at the forefront fighting for greater levels of equality, shifting norms and perceptions, and reducing barriers to political participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) communities. 

This month, the National Democratic Institute is celebrating Pride! In support of NDI’s commitment to increasing the inclusion of marginalized populations in political processes, we’re highlighting the essential work of partners who are at the forefront fighting for greater levels of equality, shifting norms and perceptions, and reducing barriers to political participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) communities.