Helping democracies deliver on sustainable development is a core challenge NDI addresses by building on its comparative advantage as an actor working on the political dimensions of  development. NDI’s conception of development extends beyond basic measures of economic growth. Like governments and program partners around the world, NDI endorses the broad vision of development enshrined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Updated April 2023

Local and regional governments are often the closest and most visible to the people, with substantial responsibility to manage public affairs, provide vital services, and directly affect quality of life. Local and regional governments are better placed than central governments to understand and respond to local needs and opportunities. 

NDI has partnered with Code for All—a global network of organizations that believe in the power of digital technology to create positive impact in communities—to support the community’s growth and development.

NDI’s anti-corruption work puts politics at the core. NDI’s approach is grounded in an understanding of the political incentives that stymie or drive reform and considers misconduct perpetrated by domestic elites as well as the crossborder corruption promoted by covert foreign powers or transnational non-state actors. All of NDI’s anti-corruption programs are designed and implemented with partners, particularly local civil society organizations and government reformers. 

The Executive Transitions program  works to strengthen democratic governance through improving knowledge and capacity as it relates to executive transitions. Through this unique program, NDI works directly with executive branch officials during pre-and post-election periods to support a smooth transfer of leadership power between outgoing and incoming administrations. Specifically, NDI provides executive transition guidance by:

Government Openness: