IFES is working with local afro-Ecuadorian organizations to increase the participation of afro-Ecuadorians in the country’s politics by providing political leadership training, encouraging increased voter participation, and promoting dialogue with political parties, among other things.

Since 2001, IFES has sought to strengthen civil society as a critical actor in public life through a series of civic and voter education initiatives.

In 2000, IFES began a major project to empower the citizens of Armenia. Its objective was to increase citizen participation in governance by encouraging civic initiatives and advocacy. By providing training and information, IFES worked with local community groups to improve their ability to organize their members, articulate their group concerns, and communicate them to local government. In this way, the project promoted more responsive and transparent behavior on the part of government.