Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The dismantling of USAID and the European pivot to defence spending have shaken the foundations and infrastructure of international democracy assistance. However, even before these visible manifestations of change, there were reasons to rethink how and when to engage in democratic processes abroad, such as the reputational risks of legitimising electoral processes or regimes that may not deserve such validation. Focusing on electoral assistance, this presentation will explore available entry points, emerging opportunities, and potential pitfalls as we move into the next phase of international cooperation on electoral processes.
The dismantling of USAID and the European pivot to defence spending have shaken the foundations and infrastructure of international democracy assistance. However, even before these visible manifestations of change, there were reasons to rethink how and when to engage in democratic processes abroad, such as the reputational risks of legitimising electoral processes or regimes that may not deserve such validation. Focusing on electoral assistance, this presentation will explore available entry points, emerging opportunities, and potential pitfalls as we move into the next phase of international cooperation on electoral processes.
