The challenges facing elections are global. So is the community working to address these challenges. This week, election leaders and experts from around the world are gathered in Mexico City for the 2026 Summit on Resilience, Cooperation and Integrity for Elections in the 21st Century. IFES’ Fernanda Buril (pictured, second from right) joined the conversation on how elections are adapting to changing contexts and the regional challenges confronting electoral institutions. Today, IFES President @TonyBanbury takes the stage to discuss “Reimagining Electoral Cooperation in the 21st Century.” In Tony's words: “The challenges facing elections may be global, but so is the community of people committed to protecting them.” Tony will also participate in today’s closing ceremony -- and that will be online! Tune in. Link in comments. ⤵️ A tremendous “thank you” to the International Affairs Unit (CAI) of @INEMexico for organizing this important convening.

What actually gets people to participate in democracy? Information matters. But information alone may not be enough. Whether people engage in civic life is shaped by a combination of individual behavior, social norms, and structural conditions. Programs designed to increase participation are more likely to succeed when they understand and address all three. "Building Citizens," IFES’ newest report, applies a social and behavior change (SBC) lens to civic and voter engagement programming, offering a practical approach to: 🔹 Diagnose the barriers that keep people from participating 🔹 Design interventions that respond to those barriers 🔹 Assess whether programs are contributing to more durable democratic participation Drawing on IFES programs in Tunisia, Ukraine, and Nepal, the report explores what it takes to move beyond assumptions about participation and address the factors that actually shape behavior. Link to report below. ⤵️ #Democracy #CivicEngagement #Elections #BehaviorChange

💡DYK: Zambia will deploy nearly 90,000 electoral staff to manage polling stations for Thursday’s general election? Learn everything about Zambia’s general election with IFES’ Election Frequently Asked Questions! #Zambia #Africa #Elections2026 #Democracy

How can better data strengthen political finance oversight? As campaign finance becomes more complex, oversight institutions face a growing challenge: turning fragmented data into meaningful accountability. Better laws alone are not enough. Better data is essential. 📣 Our new guide, "Solving the Puzzle: Making Political Finance Data Work," provides a very practical framework for strengthening political finance data and improving interoperability across oversight institutions. Because when political finance data works, transparency and accountability work better too. Read the guide - link in comments. ⤵️

IFES is proud to partner with Australia to launch Phase 2 of the Strengthening Governance Program, a two-year initiative supporting stronger democratic institutions and electoral processes in Sri Lanka. The program was launched last week by @AusHCSriLanka High Commissioner H.E. Matthew Duckworth and IFES Senior Country Director Ms. Silja Paasilinna alongside representatives from the Government of Sri Lanka, Parliament, the Election Commission, civil society, and development partners. 1/2