Trust, Engagement and Transparency

NDI works with governments and civil society around the world to build trust in democratic institutions and political processes through enhanced transparency, political integrity, and service delivery, all through creating sustained two-way engagement, inclusive and citizen-centered policy-making. 

Legislative Development

NDI’s Democratic Governance programs support legislative institutions to effectively uphold their representative and oversight responsibilities.

Victims Participation Roundtables Guide - Colombia

Through a 2011 law, the government established the Unit for the Care and Reparation of Victims (Unidad para la Atención y Reparación Integral a las Víctimas, Victims Unit), charged with supporting victims to participate in policy design and implementation, and for helping establish democratically-structured “Victims Participation Roundtables” (mesas de participación efectiva de víctimas, VPRs) in each of Colombia’s 1,122 municipalities and 32 provinces to work with authorities to address victims’ grievances. These victims include those who experienced torture, kidnapping, displacement, sexual violence, murder of a family member, or other serious crimes. As marginalized populations are often disproportionately affected by violent conflict, the VPRs reserve seats for vulnerable groups such as women, Afro-Colombians, indigenous peoples and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals. The VPRs also provide a mechanism for victims to have a voice in public policies regarding issues that impact them, such as reparations and land rights.NDI and partner organizations also developed a manual to guide VPRs to effectively monitor, evaluate and conduct oversight of public policies related to the Victims Law. Other international organizations, government institutions and VPRs around the country have used this manual.

Regional Parliamentary Initiative

Parliaments in the Western Balkans must play an essential role in their countries’ pursuit of European Union membership, as well as respect the public interest and reform legal, social, and economic systems. To ensure that legislation both complies with EU standards and is responsive to the public interest, parliaments in the region must strengthen their oversight of government, improve legislative research and create opportunities for public input into legislation.

Building Open Parliaments and Encouraging Parliamentary Collaboration

As the representative branch of government, parliaments often bear the brunt of public dissatisfaction, and, in many regions of the world, stand to benefit from a more open, responsive relationship with the public. Parliaments around the world are taking important steps to improve access to legislative information, create new mechanisms for citizen participation, and build public trust in the institution.

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New Generation of Women Leaders Take Local Office in Haiti

Rodely Carietane Balde sat down at a table of her peers with a flustered smile,“I was just inaugurated two days ago! I have a lot to do!” After a ten-month period of contestation after the election and a special investigation by election authorities, Balde had learned she would become mayor of Lascahobas in Haiti’s Centre department. Hearing the news of her election, Balde attended an NDI-hosted Political Leadership Academy in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince.

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Democratic Governance

NDI views the development of effective, democratic, public-sector institutions as a critical component of its mission. It is through improved governance that the benefits of democratic development most directly impact the lives of citizens. Conversely, when governments and parliaments fail to meet public expectations, citizens can lose confidence in democracy’s virtue and may turn to alternative models that rely on authoritarian methods or illiberal models to achieve results. 

House Democracy Partnership Delegates Explore Parliament's Role in Supporting Government Integrity

During a recent parliamentary exchange program facilitated by NDI, the Ranking Member of the House Democracy Partnership (HDP), Rep. David Price (D-NC), opened up to a group of 22 members of parliament (MPs) and parliamentary staff from nine countries, sharing that “most Americans are cynical about the integrity of the system. And the reason is because big money talks.” This phenomenon is not unique to the United States.

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