Regional Election Administration and Political Process Strengthening I
IFES Inclusion Advisor Virginia Atkinson leads a training for European disabled persons’ organizations to improve their advocacy and outreach skills.
About REAPPS I
The “Regional Election Administration and Political Process Strengthening (REAPPS) I” program was designed to address common challenges in Europe and Eurasia, such as defining the role of government in an open society and market economy; fostering political pluralism; stimulating civic participation and ensuring the separation of powers; and channeling internal conflict into political institutions to produce democratic outcomes faced by transitioning democracies within the region.
Activities under REAPPS I included research and trainings on political finance, the abuse of state resources, independence of election management bodies, election dispute resolution and women in election administration. Through these activities, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) worked with election administration officials, government representatives, civil society, media and human rights activists from more than 10 countries.
Key Outcomes
Increased Capacity of Regional Election Administration Officials
More than 60 election officials from the region demonstrated increased capacity in ensuring election integrity, monitoring and evaluating election administration training and ensuring effective election dispute resolution following IFES trainings.
Enhanced Knowledge of Abuse of State Resources Oversight
Civil society and watchdog representatives across the region received capacity building from IFES to better understand the various types of state resources, what constitutes an abuse in each case and the most effective methods for monitoring each type of abuse.
Promotion of Inclusion in the Electoral Process
IFES supported a number of disabled persons’ organizations to implement a series of national projects to increase the accessibility of elections and public awareness of electoral issues facing people with disabilities. These projects engaged hundreds of advocates and trainees across Europe, reaching up to 101 participants in Ukraine alone.