IFES has supported democracy's emergence and consolidation throughout sub-Saharan Africa since 1989. From its start conducting a groundbreaking series of pre-election technical assessments, IFES' Africa program portfolio today features activities in elections, rule of law, civil society and governance.

IFES has been involved in the democracy movement in Latin America and the Caribbean since 1989. In that time, IFES has worked in more than 20 nations, strengthening democracy through various projects.

The Middle East and North Africa continue to show signs of political liberalization and democratic development, despite current challenges. IFES has worked in the Middle East and North Africa for more than a decade with experience in Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, and Yemen.

IFES’ F. Clifton White Applied Research Center for Democracy and Elections (ARC) generates innovative applied research to enhance the practice of democracy-building and to bolster the development of democratic and participatory institutions, processes and culture. Through its research and outreach activities, ARC seeks to bridge the gap between theories of democratic development and practical realities of democracy-building in order to enrich democracy programming.

The end of the Cold War in 1989 created opportunities for IFES to respond to an overwhelming demand for technical non-partisan expertise in democracy and governance. IFES continues to play a crucial role in transforming the democratic process throughout Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and Asia.