NIMD

15/10/2026

“Breaking through the political glass ceiling carries a collective responsibility. If you find yourself as the only woman in the room, your duty is to open the door wider for others rather than acting as a blocker.”

That was Counsellor Moriah Yeakula's message to 26 women from 13 political parties at NIMD Liberia 's Democracy School in Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County.

Women do much of the grassroots work in Liberian politics, but are too often left out when budgets and policies are decided. So for five days, they learnt to read local budgets, track public projects and question officials, with support from NAYMOTE-Liberia.

They also built alliances across party lines, a necessity when you're often the only woman in the room.

Who opened a door for you? Tell us in the comments, and tag a woman in politics who is holding it open for others!

Read the full story 👉 https://nimd.org/from-campaign-trail-to-council-chamber-empowering-liberias-female-leaders/

Part of the Liberia Electoral Support Project, funded by the European Union and the Embassies of Ireland and Sweden, managed by UNDP Liberia and implemented by NIMD and UN Women. Embassy of Ireland in Liberia Embassy of Sweden in Monrovia

23/09/2026

Democracy is never finished, and it is never guaranteed. That is why NIMD joins our partners in the European Partnership for Democracy in asking .

EPD is a network of european organisations supporting democracy around the world. NIMD is proud to be one of its founding members. Together we believe that democracy, while not perfect is indispensible.

Read more about the campaign below.

15/09/2026

What does democracy mean to you?

This , we asked people across the world, from Somalia to Myanmar, Liberia to the Netherlands, that exact question.

"The table where everyone gets a seat." — Liberia

"My democracy is defending freedom today so tomorrow inherits justice, not fear." — Myanar

"A way of life based on respect, where I can express my views and make decisions, whilst also being listened to, valued and taken into account." — Guatemala

We're often presented with a one size fits all version of democracy. But the real starting point is looking at what democracy means to different people, and building from there, from the ground up. Taking what people want and translating that into a governance system that actually works for them.

Because democracy doesn't only live in institutions and elections. It resides in the everyday actions of people, in all their diversity. Diversity of voices, opinions and ideas, that's the beauty of it. In a thriving, inclusive democracy, it works like a table where everyone gets a seat.

What would your answer be? Share it in the comments, or post your own using .

👉 Read what democracy means to people across the world: https://nimd.org/mydemocracy-campaign/

14/09/2026

Liberia’s democratic journey is one worth protecting, strengthening, and passing on to the next generation.

This is why on this International Day of Democracy, FLY is bringing young Liberians together in partnership with the Democracy School, with support from NIMD, to discuss what democracy means to them and the future of democracy in Liberia.

The event will also feature the signing of a Youth Democracy Compact.

07/09/2026

25/08/2026

! Today we meet Dr. Mulualem Tegegnework, alumnus of NIMD-Ethiopia's Ethiopian Democracy Academy.

By day he's a dentist, but he's also (depending on the day) chairman of an Ethiopian political party, a poet and a father. At the Academy he sat across from politicians from every party and came away with something he didn't expect the realisation that despite their different affiliations, they all wanted the same things. Justice, freedom, equal opportunity, a country that works for everyone.

That cohort didn't just graduate and move on. They went on to found the Ethiopian Visionary Leaders Association, where alumni from different political parties still meet for coffee and dialogue, and show up for each other when politics gets hard.

His advice to young people considering public service is to enter into politics to give, not to get. Some lessons, it turns out, are worth taking well beyond the classroom.

Did you once sit in a NIMD Democracy School classroom yourself? Comment below!

19/08/2026

: We're looking for a Finance and Compliance Specialist to join our team in The Hague!

Are you:

🔸An experienced financial professional with a background in international development or the non-profit sector
🔸Skilled in financial project management, budgets, reporting and audits
🔸Comfortable working with donors, partners and colleagues from different cultures
🔸Someone who wants to contribute to more inclusive democracies around the world

Yes! Then find out more about how to join the team and apply before 12 September 2026👇
https://nimd.org/vacancy/finance-and-compliance-specialist/

18/08/2026

For over 20 years, Fundación Arcoiris 🌈 has been a driving force for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion in .

We are proud to highlight the Fundacion's incredible leadership, including their legal representative, Norma Solorzano, a recent alumna of the . The Democracy School in Honduras is jointly implemented by NIMD El Salvador and NIMD Honduras, made possible with the support from Embajada de los Países Bajos en Costa Rica.

In July, Fundación Arcoíris hosted the 2026 National Forum for Human Rights in favor of LGBTQ+ people,. Over two impactful days,
the event drew over 300 attendees from across the country to celebrate community and resilience, also featuring a vibrant cultural evening of music and art.

The event brought together: 31 LGBTQ+ organizations, International human rights organizations, National media outlets and Community leaders.

Together, we continue building bridges for a more inclusive and democratic society.