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Europe & Eurasia

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The end of the Cold War in 1989 created opportunities for firms such as 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 and the former Soviet Union. IFES has conducted dozens of pre-election technical assessments, sociological surveys, onsite technical assessment missions, election and judicial conferences, observations, civic and voter education initiatives, school-based curriculum development projects, and technology/equipment needs assessments throughout the region for the last 14 years.

In addition to bilateral technical assistance projects, IFES' Europe and Eurasia Division is actively involved in several regional initiatives. These include support to the Association of Central and Eastern European Election Officials (ACEEEO); an Election Compendium web site (developed in partnership with the University of Essex); and the development of a web-based Regional Resource Center supporting researchers, election commissioners, and donors throughout the New Independent States.

Current Projects

Albania
IFES has served as a leader of democracy development in Albania since 1991 when it provided extensive technical and commodity assistance for the nation’s first post-Communist elections in March 1992.
Albania Home

Armenia
IFES began working in Armenia prior to its 1995 elections. Since then, we have worked with local partners to support the country’s institutions and citizens in building democracy.   We have worked to improve the conduct of elections, empower citizens to participate in their communities, and facilitate the electoral participation of people with disabilities.  We have also conducted a series of surveys to identify Armenians’ beliefs and opinions about their country’s political and economic development. IFES’ work in Armenia has been funded by USAID.
Armenia Home

Azerbaijan
IFES’ work in Azerbaijan began in 1997. We gauge the knowledge and opinions of Azerbaijanis through an annual survey. This (and other) information enables IFES to promote an integrated approach to strengthening democracy and community development. Currently, IFES is working with local partners to improve the conduct of elections and increase public awareness about the electoral process. In the past, we have assisted municipalities as they put in place measures to improve local self-governance and have worked with the election commission to increase voting among citizens with disabilities.  IFES’ work in Azerbaijan has been funded by USAID as well as by the Asian Development Bank; the British, German and Norwegian embassies; the OSCE; the Westminster Foundation for Democracy; and Statoil.
Azerbaijan Home

Kosovo
 IFES has been providing technical assistance in Kosovo since 1998 when an agreement between Slobodan Milosevic and the international community was reached that allowed for diplomatic verification and humanitarian assistance as well as some sort of self-rule for Kosovo and elections within nine month's time.
Kosovo Home

Kyrgyzstan
IFES has worked in Kyrgyzstan since 1994, managing projects in civil society development, civic education, technical election assistance, and political party development.
Kyrgyzstan Home

Tajikistan
Since 1996, IFES has assisted Tajikistani educators to develop a program to educate active citizens, conducted survey research, and advised political parties and the election commission on ways to strengthen the country’s electoral processes.
Tajikistan Home
Past Projects

Kazakhstan
IFES has worked in Kazakhstan, primarily under USAID funding, since 1994--conducting projects of civic education, civil society development and technical election assistance. Since 1998, IFES has been engaged in civic education projects for high school students, developing a textbook and several interactive student classroom and extracurricular projects.
Kazakhstan Home

To learn more about our experts from this region, visit here.

For more information, please contact us at europe.asia.programs@ifes.org.

Applications and resumes are not accepted at this address.

News and Materials
August 6, 2008
IFES.org Feature: New Release: Kosovo National Post-Election Survey Report
June 27, 2008
IFES.org Feature: Election Law Reform Event Inaugurates IFES Summer Program In Kyrgyzstan
June 2008
White Paper/Report: Islamic Movements and Democracy in Central Asia: Integration or Isolation? (.pdf)
March 24, 2008
IFES.org Feature: Analysis: What Next for Kosovo?
February 28, 2008
IFES.org Feature: Europe's Experiments in E-Voting
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