{"id":1208,"date":"2016-01-12T17:50:33","date_gmt":"2016-01-12T17:50:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/?post_type=resource&#038;p=1208"},"modified":"2024-04-18T10:46:53","modified_gmt":"2024-04-18T15:46:53","slug":"think-tanks-and-elections-experiences-from-around-the-world","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/resource\/think-tanks-and-elections-experiences-from-around-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Think Tanks and Elections: experiences from around the\u00a0world"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"pagetitle\">Some thinktankers may suggest that electoral years are\u00a0<em>dead<\/em> for think tanks: they are not good for undertaking new research or for communicating their findings because they do not know who might win and what they will decide to do -and so it is best to wait until after the elections. Some think tanks would disagree: for them, this is the time to get busy. WonkComms just organised an event on the subject of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.centreforcities.org\/event\/election-fever-how-can-think-tanks-make-the-most-of-the-uk-general-election\/\">elections<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"pagetitle\">Based on a series of posts on <a href=\"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/2014\/10\/06\/think-tanks-and-the-electoral-process-lessons-from-latin-america\/\">think tanks and elections in Latin America<\/a>, we have gathered a broad range of projects that think tanks around the world put into action at the time of the elections in their countries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"pagetitle\">This webpage will also be a supporting material for a panel focusing on the role of think tanks in elections at the upcoming Think Tank Initiative\u2019s global exchange conference taking place in Istanbul in mid February 2015.<\/p>\n<p class=\"pagetitle\">Moreover, we decided to expand our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/articles\/think-tanks-and-elections-a-series-on-experiences-from-around-the-world\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">series of experiences on think tanks and elections<\/a>\u00a0and invite thinktankers around the world to share their organisations\u2019 initiatives thus fostering cross-learning with their peers and other interested audiences. The series will deepen some of the experiences gathered in this page, but will also invite\u00a0other voices to reflect on the broad spectrum of efforts\u00a0that think tanks can put into practice focusing on elections.<\/p>\n<div class=\"entry page clear\">\n<p>If your think tank (or other organisations you know) work with similar initiatives at the time of elections, please email\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:leandroecht@hotmail.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">me<\/a>\u00a0and we will be happy to include it in the chart so others can benefit from your experience. We hope this effort provides\u00a0a space of reference\/inspiration for those think tanks seeking to develop initiatives\u00a0with a clear focus: elections.<\/p>\n<p>The list below is organised alphabetically.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.africaresearchinstitute.org\/\">Africa Research Institute<\/a>\u00a0(ARI) \/ UK<\/h2>\n<p>(info@africaresearchinstitute.org)<\/p>\n<h2>2015:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.africaresearchinstitute.org\/blog\/2015-elections-africa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Elections in Africa<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Objective<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>ARI set up a resource\u2019s page to share information on a dozen of African countries that will face elections in 2015.<br \/>\nResearch<\/li>\n<li>While the site does not share ARI\u2019s research, it points to different articles and reflections regarding elections in African countries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.africaresearchinstitute.org\/blog\/2015-elections-africa\/#timeline-identifier\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Further reading list<\/a>. While the site does not share ARI\u2019s research, it points to different articles and reflections regarding elections in African countries, with the purpose of\u00a0\u00a0showcasing writers and linking readers up to great new analyses on the elections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Communication outputs<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.africaresearchinstitute.org\/blog\/2015-elections-africa\/#map-identifier\">Election map<\/a>\u00a0highlights facts and links to key resources on upcoming elections for a dozen of African countries.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.africaresearchinstitute.org\/blog\/2015-elections-africa\/#timeline-identifier\">Timelines<\/a>\u00a0regarding electoral process for each country are also shared in the website.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>tbcompleted<\/p>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>tbcompleted<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cebri.org.br\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Brasilian Center of International Relations<\/a>\u00a0(CEBRI) \/ Brasil<\/h2>\n<p>cebri@cebri.org.br<\/p>\n<h2>2014:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/cebri.org\/evento\/ciclos-sobre-politica-externa-rumos-da-politica-externa-eleicoes-2014-primeiro-encontro\">Cycles on Foreign Policy: The Paths of Foreign Policy after the 2014 Elections<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Objective<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Host two events about the proposals of the two main candidates regarding foreign policy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Events<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/cebri.org\/evento\/ciclos-sobre-politica-externa-rumos-da-politica-externa-eleicoes-2014-primeiro-encontro\">First event<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/cebri.org\/evento\/ciclos-sobre-politica-externa-rumos-politica-externa-eleicoes-2014-segundo-encontro\">Second event<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Communication outputs<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/cebri.org\/evento\/ciclos-sobre-politica-externa-rumos-da-politica-externa-eleicoes-2014-primeiro-encontro\">Podcasts First event<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/cebri.org\/evento\/ciclos-sobre-politica-externa-rumos-politica-externa-eleicoes-2014-segundo-encontro\">Podcasts Second event<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>tbcompleted<\/p>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>tbcompleted<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/\">The Brookings Institution<\/a>\u00a0\/ United States<\/h2>\n<p>communications@brookings.edu<\/p>\n<h2>2014:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/research\/flash-topics\/flash-topic-folder\/the-primaries-project\">The Primaries Project<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Objective<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Examine the congressional primaries and asked what they revealed about the future of each political party and the future of American politics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A series of reports were produced. See for instance\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/~\/media\/research\/files\/reports\/2014\/09\/30%20congressional%20primaries%20kamarck%20podkul\/primaries5.pdf\">The 2014 Congressional Primaries: Who Ran and Why<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/~\/media\/research\/files\/reports\/2014\/09\/30%20candidates%20voters%20primaries%20lawrence%20shapiro\/primaries_lawrence_shapiro.pdf\">Phoning It In and Failing to Show: The Story of the 2014 House Primaries<\/a><\/li>\n<li>The entire Primary Project data is also available\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/research\/reports\/2014\/12\/22-primaries-project-data\">here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Events<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A series of events took place. See for instance\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/events\/2014\/09\/30-2014-primaries-future-american-politics\">What the 2014 Primaries Foretell About the Future of American Politics<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Communication outputs<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/blogs\/fixgov\">FixGov<\/a>\u00a0is a blog that identifies and aims to solve the nation\u2019s most pressing political and governance challenges<\/li>\n<li>A series of blog posts. See an example\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/blogs\/fixgov\/posts\/2015\/01\/08-obama-republicans-new-congress-kamarck\">here<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>tbcompleted<\/p>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>tbcompleted<\/p>\n<h2>2012:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/about\/projects\/campaign-2012\">Campaign 2012<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Objectives<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Identify and address the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/about\/projects\/campaign-2012\/issues\">12 most crucial policy challenges<\/a>\u00a0facing the next president in the months leading up to Election Day.<\/li>\n<li>Offer the public and the candidates a range of independent, fact-based ideas for addressing the nation\u2019s most urgent foreign and domestic concerns.<\/li>\n<li>Serve as a forum for discussion and debate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Papers were produced for the following 12 policy issues:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/research\/papers\/2012\/02\/15-afpak-ohanlon-riedel\">Afghanistan and Pakistan<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/research\/papers\/2012\/05\/25-americas-role-jones-wright\">America\u2019s Role in the World<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/research\/papers\/2012\/06\/20-middle-east-hamid\">The Arab Awakening<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/research\/papers\/2012\/01\/19-budget-haskins\">The Budget Deficit<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/research\/papers\/2012\/03\/02-climate-policy-gayer\">Climate Change<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/research\/papers\/2012\/03\/07-econgrowth-baily\">Economic Growth<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/research\/papers\/2012\/02\/16-federalism-katz\">Federalism<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/research\/papers\/2012\/03\/16-china-lieberthal-pollack\">The Global Economy and China<\/a>, Health Care,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/research\/papers\/2012\/04\/10-iran-maloney\">Iran<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/research\/papers\/2012\/07\/24-political-reform-galston\">Political and Institutional Reform<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/research\/papers\/2012\/04\/20-terrorism-wittes-byman\">Terrorism<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Additional perspectives on each issue were also included. See for instance an additional perspective on\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/research\/papers\/2012\/03\/07-econgrowth-housing-dynan\">Economic Growth<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Events<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/about\/projects\/campaign-2012\/events\">Events<\/a>\u00a0were organised to discuss the policy issues.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Communication outputs<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Videos and audio on each issue are also available. Watch for instance a\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/research\/expert-qa\/2012\/06\/25-americas-role-jones\">video on America\u2019s role in the world<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Interviews for each issue. See for instance the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/research\/expert-qa\/2012\/07\/16-budget-haskins\">interview on the budget deficit<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>tbcompleted<\/p>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>tbcompleted<\/p>\n<h2>1992:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/research\/books\/1992\/memos\">Memos to the President.\u00a0<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/research\/books\/1992\/memos\">A Guide through Macroeconomics for the Busy Policymaker<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Objectives<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The book is written as a series of memos to the president on the principles and policy issues that should be understood before making macroeconomic policy judgments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<p>The series of short, easy-to-read memos is divided into three groups:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>the first presents the background, explaining why it is particularly important for policymakers to distinguish between those economic forces that affect total demand in the economy and those that affect total supply;<\/li>\n<li>the second addresses the problem of economic stability; and<\/li>\n<li>the third looks at long-term economic growth<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>tbcompleted<\/p>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>tbcompleted<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.budapestinstitute.eu\/index.php\/hu\">Budapest Institute<\/a>\u00a0\/ Hungary<\/h2>\n<p>hungarymitigernek@gmail.com<\/p>\n<h2>2010 and 2014:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mitigernek.hu\/index.php\/english\">What they promise<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Objectives<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Analyse the party programmes during the run up to the Hungarian parliamentary elections.<\/li>\n<li>Evaluate the programme of the parties without bias, focusing specifically on how targeted and well-grounded these are and whether the parties could be made accountable for the promises they make.<\/li>\n<li>Contribute to raising the general quality of political and policy debates during the elections \u2013 and beyond.<\/li>\n<li>Promote accountability during elections, and help the press as well as the wider public to formulate similar concrete questions for candidates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A team of experts identify top 8 (and 10 additional) priorities in the country they think any political party programme should address. In 2014, the top 8 priorities included: constitutional order, recognizing and strengthening the principle of separation of powers; quality, independency and efficiency of judiciary; quality and efficiency of public education; integration of the Roma population; equality of opportunity in education; business friendly \/ performance enhancing tax regime; employment of low-skilled people; and corruption and political party financing.<\/li>\n<li>Campaign programmes of all parties that gained at least 5% at prev. nation-wide elections (in 2014) or have been on the voting lists in during the EU parliamentary elections in 2008 (in 2010) are evaluated according to the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.xpatloop.com\/news\/63652\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">following criteria<\/a>: 1) Targetedness, 2) Soundness, and 3) Accountability.<\/li>\n<li>Evaluation is done by 3 experts for each party programme by assigning scores on a 5-1 scale (5=best, 1=fail), and the average of all scores gives the final score for the party. The original final score can be revised based on subsequent public statements, promises made by party representatives until election day.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Events<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Press announcements, short interviews in Hungarian media outlets (radio and TV channels), \u00a0short news on the project results based on the press announcement. The initiative appeared in the volume of Political Yearbook of Hungary 2010.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Commnication outputs<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The final scores of political parties are illustrated on\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/mitigernek.hu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">charts<\/a>. The charts rank political parties in the three main criteria separately, and a fourth chart indicates the total score of the party. Party scores in each sub-criteria are made public, and a brief (cca 500 words)\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/mitigernek.hu\/index.php\/partprogramok\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">note<\/a>\u00a0is provided to summarise the overall result as to why particular scores were assigned to particular parties.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>While the project did not aim at generating big debate events, specific evaluations were sent to each of the corresponding parties in order to inform them about the ranking outcome and the potential points which they could easily improve still during the campaign. One out of the 6 parties responded with acknowledgement\u00a0of the results and with more detailed information on some of the their campaign promises.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Partners<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Set up by a group of economists, financial analysts and lawyers, all of them working on a voluntary basis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Donors<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Funding gathered by croudsourcing (via the online community crowdsourcing site:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.creativeselector.hu\/projekt\/show\/mit_igernek_a_partok_0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Creative Selector<\/a>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/cpd.org.bd\/\">Center for Policy Dialogue<\/a>\u00a0\/ Bangladesh<\/h2>\n<p>info@cpd.org.bd<\/p>\n<h2>2007:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/cpd.org.bd\/index.php\/about-us\/national-election-2007-civil-society-initiative-accountable-development\/\">National Election 2007: Civil Society Initiative for Accountable Development<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Objectives<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Give voice to common citizens of the country so that their development interests and concerns got reflected in the election manifestos of the major political parties.<\/li>\n<li>Influence public opinion to encourage and put pressure on political parties to nominate competent candidates to contest in the next parliamentary elections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Main activities<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Constitution of the Eminent Citizen\u2019s Group (Nagorik Committee) to prepare a \u201cVision\u201d document.<\/li>\n<li>Set up of the Eight Task Forces to develop policy paper on specific issues.<\/li>\n<li>Preparation of the draft of the revised Representation of People\u2019s Order (RPO)<\/li>\n<li>Organisation of meetings in major districts of Bangladesh.<\/li>\n<li>Organisation of Focus Group Discussions separately with international development partners, newspaper editors, TV channel executives, young professionals and legal experts.<\/li>\n<li>Strategic partnerships and collaborative arrangements with institutions and networks.<\/li>\n<li>Engagement of the youths and non-resident Bangladeshi.<\/li>\n<li>Outreach through the following activities: (i) TV Talk Shows, (ii) Publication of special supplements in the newspapers, (iii) video presentation of the summary of these discussions on TV, and (iv) advertisements in the media.<\/li>\n<li>National Policy Forum in Dhaka with important stakeholder groups from across the country and leaders of major political parties.<\/li>\n<li>Publication of the Vision document and reports on the launch meeting and discussions.<\/li>\n<li>Organisation of a series of sessions with members of the incumbent government\u2019s cabinet sharing with them the outcome of the programme<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.drrgateway.net\/sites\/default\/files\/Bangladesh%20Vision_2021_English.pdf\">Bangladesh Vision 2021<\/a>\u00a0formulates a medium-term outlook for the country. Policy papers on specific issues were to feed into the preparation of the vision document<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Events<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/cpd.org.bd\/index.php\/about-us\/national-election-2007-civil-society-initiative-accountable-development\/\">National Election 2007: Civil Society Initiative for Accountable Development<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/cpd.org.bd\/index.php\/about-us\/national-election-2007-civil-society-initiative-accountable-development\/\">Civil Society Forum 2006<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/cpd.org.bd\/index.php\/about-us\/national-election-2007-civil-society-initiative-accountable-development\/\">15 regional dialogues<\/a>\u00a0took place in different cities to provide a non-partisan platform for the stakeholders to voice their concerns and interests<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The General Secretaries of both the major political parties made public commitments that they would give nomination to clean candidates, pursue good governance and encourage principled politics. They further committed that they would reflect the ideas generated through extensive public discussion in their manifesto and would pursue commensurate policies when in government.<\/p>\n<p>The Vision 2021 document\u2019 goals got reflected in the election manifestos of the leading political parties. The Awami League, the party which subsequently won the election, incidentally named its manifesto Vision 2021 and included many of the policy suggestions put forward in the CPD\u2019s Vision 2021. Once in power, the Awami League took a number of legislative initiatives and undertook implementation of several programmes in line with the Vision doc recommendations.<\/p>\n<p>Many of the suggestions generated by the CPD\u2019s programme were taken up by the Election Commission in their effort to conduct a free and fair election.<\/p>\n<p>More than eight thousand people had taken part in the fifteen regional meetings.<\/p>\n<p>CPD made a crucial transition, from a predominantly policy influencing and policy<\/p>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>tbcompleted<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csds.in\/\">Centre for the Studies of Developing Societies<\/a>\u00a0(CSDS) \/ India<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:lokniti@csds.in\">lokniti@csds.in<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Since 1967:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.lokniti.org\/national-election-studies.php\">National Election Studies<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Objective<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CSDS is primarily engaged in analyzing democratic and electoral trends spanning a period of 5 decades, using survey as a research tool.<\/li>\n<li>Presentation for the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/open?id=0B_eKyX-yqUIfampNaXVLOWp2bWs&amp;authuser=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Think Tank Initiative 2015 Exchange<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.lokniti.org\/nessurveylist.php\">List of National Election (Parliamentary) related Surveys<\/a>.\u00a0Research analyzes trends of voting behaviour, mobilization patterns, issue of voters registration, reasons of non- voting, electoral reforms and related issues.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Dissemination of findings through print and electronic media, conferences, seminar, round table, publication in research journals, reports and books.<\/li>\n<li>A systematisation of the experience can be found in this article:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/2015\/02\/18\/csds-five-decades-of-understanding-electoral-politics-in-india\/\">CSDS: Five decades of Understanding Electoral Politics in\u00a0India<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Media, Election Commission of India, CSOs.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cadep.org.py\/\">Centro de An\u00e1lisis y Difusi\u00f3n de la Econom\u00eda Paraguaya<\/a>\u00a0(CADEP) and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.desarrollo.edu.py\/v2\/\">Instituto Desarrollo<\/a>\u00a0(ID) \/ Paraguay<\/h2>\n<p>paraguaydebate@paraguaydebate.org.py<\/p>\n<h2>2013:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/paraguaydebate.org.py\/\">Paraguay Debate<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Objective<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Contribute to the development of Paraguay, by enriching the political debate in the country with a focus on the 2013 elections, promoting the discussion of the most important issues related to the strengthening of democratic governance and the sustainability of development.<\/li>\n<li>After 203 elections, the project seeks to consolidate itself as a space for permanent coordination, promotion and enrichment of the debate. It also aims to be a platform for monitoring and public policy proposals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/paraguaydebate.org.py\/?cat=11\">12 policy notes<\/a>\u00a0were elaborated on the following issues: Economic Development, Governance, Environmental Sustainability, Climate Change, Education, Health, Public Finance, Agricultural Development, Childhood Investment, Tax Reform,Open Government and Justice Reform. All these policy notes were translated into briefs to be handed out to the technical teams of presidential candidates and the public opinion.<\/li>\n<li>After the 2013 Elections Paraguay Debate continued to publish Policy Notes on different subjects of the government agenda (9 policy notes). Also it publishes opinion articles called\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/paraguaydebate.org.py\/?cat=7\">Policy dialogues<\/a>\u00a0and a magazine called\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/paraguaydebate.org.py\/?cat=27\">DEBATE<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Debate<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The debate on TV was agreed by\u00a0the partners of the Paraguay Debate, the 4 main candidates (including current president) and the Center of Regulation, Norms and Communication Studies (CERNECO), which gathers the main radio, TV and press companies of the country.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Communication outputs<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u201cInterrogantes Ciudadanos\u201d consisted in short guides to journalists on different questions to be formulated and asked to candidates, based on the subjects of policy notes.<\/li>\n<li>Two videos of the initiative.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/paraguaydebate.org.py\/?cat=10\">Elections 2013: What are we asking\u2026 what do they answer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/paraguaydebate.org.py\/?cat=3\">Radio campaigns<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"iframe-container\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Paraguay Debate abril 2013\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XC5uPkVGSJM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"iframe-container\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"La Plataforma Paraguay Debate\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QpqXqff8pZ4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The debate was broadcasted by every terrestrial channel, cable channel and was also web-streamed, reaching 1.5 million households.<\/li>\n<li>After the elections, the platform became a\u00a0new space of reference regarding policy proposals.<\/li>\n<li>The proposals were considered in many of the government programmes of the main parties. The current National Development Plan was clearly influenced\u00a0by the\u00a0analyses included in\u00a0the Policy Notes.<\/li>\n<li>The importance of approaching these topics was installed in the media and among journalists.<\/li>\n<li>A systematisation of the experience can be found in this article:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/2014\/10\/14\/paraguay-debate-the-challenge-of-nourishing-the-political-debate-in-times-of-elections\/\">Paraguay debate: The challenge of nourishing the political debate in times of elections<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Partners<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Besides CADEP and Instituto Desarrollo, the alliance also included\u00a0Centro de Informaci\u00f3n y Recursos para el Desarrollo (CIRD), DECIDAMOS Campa\u00f1a por la Expresi\u00f3n Ciudadana,\u00a0Desarrollo en Democracia (DENDE),\u00a0Gesti\u00f3n Ambiental (geAm), Semillas para la Democracia) and 5 others as organisations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Donors<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>International Development Research Centre ( IDRC) and Think Tank Initiative (TTI)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Allies<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Center of Regulation, Norms and Communication Studies (CERNECO)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cippec.org\/\">Centro de Implementaci\u00f3n de Pol\u00edticas P\u00fablicas para la Equidad y el Crecimiento<\/a>\u00a0(CIPPEC) \/ Argentina<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:asoffietto@cippec.org?subject=Consulta%20sobre%20CIPPEC\">info@cippec.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Presentation for the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/open?id=0B_eKyX-yqUIfcWx0VHJrYUZ0aE0&amp;authuser=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Think Tank Initiative 2015 Exchange<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>2014:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/argentinadebate.org\/\">Argentina Debate<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Objectives<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Achieve the first presidential debate in Argentina\u2019s history in the elections of 2015, around an agenda of development priorities, and shape the basis for its institutionalisation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Five documents focused on development priorities for the country:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/issuu.com\/argentinadebate\/docs\/infraestructura\/3?e=14411582\/10187381\">Infrastructure<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/issuu.com\/argentinadebate\/docs\/calidad_institucional\/3?e=14411582\/10187735\">Institutional quality<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/issuu.com\/argentinadebate\/docs\/primera_infancia\/24?e=14411582\/10187644\">Early childhood<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/issuu.com\/argentinadebate\/docs\/calidad_educativa\/20?e=14411582\/10187808\">Education<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/issuu.com\/argentinadebate\/docs\/perspectivas_fiscales\/1?e=14411582\/10187568\">Fiscal prospects and intergovernmental fiscal relations<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Events<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/argentinadebate.org\/novedades\/argentina-debate-convoco-a-una-coalicion-para-promover-un-debate-presidencial\/\">Launch of the initiative<\/a>, with international experts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/argentinadebate.org\/novedades\/argentina-debate-reunio-a-ministros-funcionarios-expertos-y-referentes-de-los-precandidatos-presidenciales\/\">Meeting with ministers, civil servants and referents of presidential pre candidates<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Communication outputs<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/2014\/10\/13\/the-challenge-is-refining-the-think-tanks-influence-technology-in-electoral-campaigns\/\">Interview with Executive Director<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>tbcompleted<\/p>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>tbcompleted<\/p>\n<h2>2011:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cippec.org\/documents\/10179\/51827\/Think+tanks+Series_CIPPEC+Agenda+for+the+President.pdf\/0417965c-bf8f-4a9e-b78e-816d6384ea74\">Agenda for the President 2011-2015<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><b>Summary<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Objective<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Raise the quality of public policies and the public debate during the electoral campaign.<\/li>\n<li>Create the necessary conditions for the realization of the first televised debate between the presidential candidates<\/li>\n<li>Internal objective: Consolidate the organisation\u2019s work and identity: the initiative would enable the organisation\u2019s different policy areas to reflect on their decade-long work and help establish priorities and goals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>5 Memos on issues of national importance were elaborated:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cippec.org\/documents\/10179\/56531\/Educacion+Axel+Rivas+CIPPEC+2011.pdf\/845cb750-d4d3-426c-994a-9d144c044416\">education<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cippec.org\/documents\/10179\/58548\/Salud_Olaviaga_CIPPEC_2011.pdf\/41f42233-1cc5-49ab-b519-501ef42562c3\">health<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cippec.org\/documents\/10179\/56531\/Memo+Proteccion+Social+-+Agenda+presidencial+-+CIPPEC+2011.pdf\/a609565d-8bcf-4cad-8512-15c4297611d5\">social protection<\/a>, social security,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cippec.org\/documents\/10179\/56531\/Politica+Fiscal%2C%20Luciana+Diaz+Frers%2C%20CIPPEC%2C%202011.pdf\/37733433-4625-4d31-8210-2768f48c2891\">tax policy<\/a>, monetary policy,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cippec.org\/documents\/10179\/56531\/Integracion+Global%2C%20Lucio+Castro%2C%20CIPPEC%2C%202011.pdf\/d103acbf-2c5b-410e-a3c0-4165f3e77214\">global integration<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cippec.org\/documents\/10179\/56531\/Transporte_Barbero_CIPPEC_2011.pdf\/83f1a0f6-e48c-4c6e-ad44-a7fe075818f0\">transport<\/a>, energy,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cippec.org\/documents\/10179\/56531\/Justicia_ElenayBohmer_CIPPEC_2011.pdf\/33e6a900-696c-4016-9682-83da7d444c1d\">justice<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cippec.org\/documents\/10179\/56531\/Transparencia_CIPPEC_2011.pdf\/d5124fe1-9102-4794-9921-48b14596ae30\">transparency<\/a>, security, sustainable development, Chief of Staff and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cippec.org\/documents\/10179\/56531\/Procesos_Electorales_PomaresyLeiras_CIPPEC_2011.pdf\/44fdc39b-fa42-4f9e-9d3e-cb6dd6494ff1\">electoral processes<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>E book\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/cippec.org\/100politicas\/\">100 policies to foster development<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Debate<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CIPPEC organised a debate between the candidates for the mayor office of Moron, a highly populated municipality in suburban Buenos Aires.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Communication outputs<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Agenda for the President\u2019s Website (which has been closed afterwards)<\/li>\n<li>Video<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"iframe-container\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Agenda Presidencial - CIPPEC\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qEHihkxNsEA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The project was featured 142 times in print media; 50 in national newspapers, 29 in provincial newspapers, 43 in news portals and websites. 9 on TV and 29 in the radio.<\/li>\n<li>The project was presented 69 times to different audiences, including experts, academics, businessmen, party experts, high-ranked public officials, legislators, diplomats, and governors.<\/li>\n<li>The project was discussed with 3 of the 7 candidates, but not the incumbent President and main candidate.<\/li>\n<li>A few proposals from the Memos were adopted by opposition political parties and others were even implemented by the government.<\/li>\n<li>It was not possible to organise the first presidential debate.<\/li>\n<li>The project allowed the organisation to compile, organize, and present in non-technical language more than 10 years of research.<\/li>\n<li>CIPPEC was accepted as a member of the International Network for Electoral Debates.<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0A systematisation of the experience can be found in the document\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cippec.org\/documents\/10179\/51827\/Think+tanks+Series_CIPPEC+Agenda+for+the+President.pdf\/0417965c-bf8f-4a9e-b78e-816d6384ea74\">Promoting a national policy forum: CIPPEC\u2019s \u201cAgenda for the President 2011-2015\u201d<\/a>. In\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cippec.org\/documents\/10179\/51827\/Serie+Think+tanks_CIPPEC+Agenda+Presidencial.pdf\/fb081947-72a1-4a26-a3b6-364a027bfa9b\">Spanish<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Donor<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Allies<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Center for Legal and Social Studies (CELS), Fundaci\u00f3n Vida Silvestre (FVSA), Poder Ciudadano.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cippec.org\/politica-y-gestion-de-gobierno\">Programme of Political Institutions<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>CIPPEC also counts with a team focused on research and technical assistance on electoral issues (among other issues).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Research<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Programme addresses different issues related to elections, electoral reforms, implementation of the single ballot, the vote of young population, and electoral observation.<\/li>\n<li>Publications from\u00a0the programme can be found\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cippec.org\/publicaciones-politica-y-gestion?p_p_id=101_INSTANCE_WfqDGX2cIG2a&amp;p_p_lifecycle=0&amp;p_p_state=normal&amp;p_p_mode=view&amp;p_p_col_id=column-2&amp;p_p_col_pos=1&amp;p_p_col_count=2&amp;_101_INSTANCE_WfqDGX2cIG2a_delta=10&amp;_101_INSTANCE_WfqDGX2cIG2a_keywords=&amp;_101_INSTANCE_WfqDGX2cIG2a_advancedSearch=false&amp;_101_INSTANCE_WfqDGX2cIG2a_andOperator=true&amp;p_r_p_564233524_resetCur=false&amp;cur=1\">here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Some important projects of the Program includes\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cippec.org\/pagina-voto-joven\">Young vote<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cippec.org\/pagina-observatorio-electoral-argentino\">Argentine Electoral Observatory<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Communication outputs<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cippec.org\/videos-politica-y-gestion\">Videos<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"iframe-container\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ventajas de los oficialismos en las provincias argentinas\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RURQpRJ5sFE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cses.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Comparative Studies of Electoral Systems<\/a>\u00a0(CSES)<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>cses@umich.edu<\/p>\n<h4>Summary<\/h4>\n<p>Objective<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Since\u00a01996, CSES is a collaborative program of research among election study teams from around the world.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Methodology<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Participating countries include a common module of survey questions in their post-election studies. The resulting data are deposited along with voting, demographic, district and macro variables. The studies are then merged into a single, free, public dataset for use in comparative study and cross-level analysis.<\/li>\n<li>The research agenda, questionnaires, and study design are developed by an international committee of leading scholars of electoral politics and political science. The design is implemented in each country by their foremost social scientists.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Supporters<\/h4>\n<p>Allies<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The CSES Secretariat is in cooperation between the Center for Political Studies and GESIS \u2013 Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Donors<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>American National Science Foundation, he GESIS \u2013 Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, and the University of Michigan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/cies.org.pe\/\">Consorcio de Investigaci\u00f3n Econ\u00f3mica y Social<\/a>\u00a0(CIES) \/ Peru<\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<p>prensa1@cies.org.pe<\/p>\n<p>Presentation for the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/open?id=0B_eKyX-yqUIfc3pWb1hTUUkxem8&amp;authuser=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Think Tank Initiative 2015 Exchange<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>2014:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/cies.org.pe\/es\/proyecto\/proyecto-cies-elecciones-regionales-2014-centrando-el-debate-electoral\">Regional elections 2014: focusing the electoral debate<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Objective<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Promote a higher level debate and more focused on policy options that allows the strengthening of regional governance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Main activities<\/p>\n<p>Four phases:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Preparation of policy briefs on key issues for new regional governments: Apurimac, Arequipa, Cusco, La Libertad, Loreto and Piura.<\/li>\n<li>Presentation of policy briefs at closed workshops with main parties\u2019 planning team and regional movements<\/li>\n<li>Broad dissemination of policy briefs that promotes informed vote<\/li>\n<li>Advocacy with the elected authorities of regional governments.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>26 policy briefs on six policy issues:\u00a0DebatesStrategic planning, Regional competitiveness, Poverty alleviation and productive development, Sustainable management of natural resources and extractive industries, Climate change, and Human rights and gender.<\/li>\n<li>A summary of the main proposals can be found here:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/cies.org.pe\/sites\/default\/files\/pagina\/files\/dossier_elecciones.pdf\">Policy proposals for regional governments. 2015 \u2013 2018<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Events<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/cies.org.pe\/es\/actividad\/descentralizacion-y-elecciones-2014-los-desafios-pendientes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IX Meeting of the Dialogue with International Cooperation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/cies.org.pe\/es\/actividad\/investigadores-peruanos-presentan-propuestas-de-politica-para-nuevos-gobiernos-regionales\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Contributions to regional governments 2015 -2018<\/a><\/li>\n<li>8 Regional forums (Amazonas, Arequipa, Apur\u00edmac, Cusco, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Loreto and Piura)<\/li>\n<li>7 Workshops with media (Arequipa, Apurimac, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Loreto, Piura and Tumbes)<\/li>\n<li>Round table \u201cIn dialogue with elected regional presidents\u201d, under the XXV CIES\u2019 Annual Seminar<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Debates<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/cies.org.pe\/es\/actividad\/cies-co-organizo-el-debate-tecnico-hacia-la-alcaldia-de-lima\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technical debate in Lima<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Presidential debate in Lima with 13 candidates<\/li>\n<li>3 Regional Debates (Apurimac, Arequipa and La Libertad)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Communication outputs<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Dossier\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/cies.org.pe\/sites\/default\/files\/pagina\/files\/preguntas8.pdf\">What questions should answer the new regional presidents?<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Video\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/gestion.pe\/politica\/que-preguntas-deben-responder-siguientes-presidentes-regionales-2115964\">What questions should answer the new regional presidents?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/cies.org.pe\/sites\/default\/files\/pagina\/files\/elecciones_regionales_peru_2014_one_pager.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">One pager<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/cies.org.pe\/sites\/default\/files\/files\/actividades\/pptdesayuno.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Presentation<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Magazine \u201cEconomy and Society\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Supporters<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/cies.org.pe\/sites\/default\/files\/files\/actividades\/cooperantes_y_aliados_estrategicos.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Donors and allies<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2011:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.elecciones2011.cies.org.pe\/\">Elections Peru 2011: Focusing the electoral debate<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Objective<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Raise the level of the electoral debate through public policy proposals on key issues for national development. It intended to strengthen both the parties\u2019 policy proposals and the next government\u2019s policies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Main activities<\/p>\n<p>The intervention included 5 stages:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Production of 15 public policy documents,<\/li>\n<li>Discussion over them with main parties\u2019 planning teams,<\/li>\n<li>Production of ad hoc resources for the press,<\/li>\n<li>Broad dissemination campaign in Lima and regions,<\/li>\n<li>Electoral debates<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Policy briefs on 15 issues: Public Management; Corruption and Governance; Security and Narcotics; Tax Policy; Tax policies to minerals and oil; Regional Development; Rural Development; Natural Resources; Social Conflict; Interculturalism; Climate Change;\u00a0Social policies and poverty; Education;\u00a0Innovation, Science and Technology; and Genre. Available\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.elecciones2011.cies.org.pe\/documentos-de-politica\/politicas-de-gestion-publica.html\">here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0A list of the policy briefs and authors can be found\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cies.org.pe\/sites\/default\/files\/proyecto\/files\/41028695-lista-completa-documentos-de-politica.pdf\">here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Events<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.elecciones2011.cies.org.pe\/actividades-y-difusion\/actividades\/lanzamiento-de-seminario-en-embajada-de-canad%C3%A1.html\">Two events in Lima<\/a>: a launch workshop with national public opinion leaders and a seminar consisting of three consecutive working breakfasts with more than 300 attendees from academia, the public sector, civil society, political parties, international cooperation and press.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>The dissemination campaign included 8 seminars in different regions (Piura, Loreto, Trujillo, Chiclayo, Ayacucho, Cusco and Arequipa), which reached out to more than 1,000 attendees.<\/li>\n<li>15 meetings with political parties and JNE (to shape debates)<\/li>\n<li>25 workshops with government planning teams: 117 attendees<\/li>\n<li>6 meetings with regional opinion leaders<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Debates<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.elecciones2011.cies.org.pe\/actividades-y-difusion.html\">Second round debate<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.elecciones2011.cies.org.pe\/actividades-y-difusion\/actividades\/partidos-gana-per%C3%BA-y-fuerza-2011-confrontaron-sus-programas-de\">Technical debate between the teams of the two parties that met during the second-round<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Communication outputs<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Press dossier\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cies.org.pe\/sites\/default\/files\/files\/actividades\/folleto_elecciones2011.pdf\">Do you know what questions should candidates answer?<\/a><\/li>\n<li>TV and radio interviews with the authors of the policy documents. Check the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/elecciones2011.cies.org.pe\/actividades-y-difusion\/difusion-mediatica\/difusion-en-prensa.html\">dissemination in newspapers, radio and television press<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/elecciones2011.cies.org.pe\/actividades-y-difusion\/Cu%C3%B1as-y-Podcast\">Radio spots and Podcasts<\/a><\/li>\n<li>A special edition of the CIES\u2019 Economic and Society magazine, \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/topic-pages\/think-tanks-and-elections-experiences-from-around-the-world\/Contributions%20to%20the%20Peruvian%20government%202011-2016\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Contributions to the Peruvian government 2011-2016<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Collection of 15 volumes \u201cPeru 2011\u201d. 1000 copie<\/li>\n<li>136,800 policy documents (including magazines and dossiers) distributed nationwide<\/li>\n<li>15 videos produced by PUCP, disseminated in Hora N<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Enrichment of policy proposals and government plans of the parties that participated of the 2011 electoral process.<\/li>\n<li>Offer of technical elements to the debate and inputs to the journalists covering the process.<\/li>\n<li>Roadmap with 15 important issues for Peru\u2019s development and governance.<\/li>\n<li>Facilitation of links between researchers, technocrats and politicians beyond the project.<\/li>\n<li>After the elections, CIES participated of an official induction seminar with the newly elected congress, organised by the Major Office of the Congress. CIES presented the project and the challenges for the Peruvian economy between 2011-2016, complemented with a distribution of the 15 documents to each representative.<\/li>\n<li>The relevance of the second round debates stimulated the organisers to publish a memoire of the debates, a responsibility that fell to CIES. In addition to the report of the discussions the book included interviews with key stakeholders, in order to facilitate the organization of future debates. The publication was distributed among politicians, journalists and members of academia.<\/li>\n<li>A systematisation of the experience can be found in this article:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/2014\/10\/07\/focusing-the-electoral-debate-cies-experience-during-the-peru-2011-campaign\/\">Focusing the electoral debate: CIES\u2019 experience during the Peru 2011 campaign<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Donors<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CIDA, JICA, AECID, SDC, IADB, World Bank, IDRC, GIZ, CAF, Embassy of Belgium, UNFPA, MESAGEN, UNODC, NED, ODI<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Allies<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Acuerdo Nacional Ciudadanos al D\u00eda; Consejo de la Prensa Peruana; Diario El Comercio; Idea Internacional; Jurado Nacional de Elecciones (JNE); PUCP \u2013 Dpto. de Ciencias Sociales; Transparencia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2006: Elections Peru 2006: Knowledge for better choice<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Objective<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Raise the level of electoral debate, emphasizing the discussion of policy options and government programs.<\/li>\n<li>Promote consensus on State policies in Peru<\/li>\n<li>Contribute to the design of the next government programs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Main activities<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Production of policy briefs.<\/li>\n<li>Meetings with main parties\u2019 planning teams.<\/li>\n<li>Decentralised seminars in six regions of Peru.<\/li>\n<li>Dissemination campaigns through the media.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The project generated documents on the following policy issues: Competitiveness,\u00a0Regulation and concessions, Employment,\u00a0Modernisation of the State, Social programs and poverty, Rural Development, Education, Decentralization, Health, Gender.<\/li>\n<li>Access the documents\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/cies.org.pe\/es\/investigaciones\/elecciones2006?title=&amp;field_autor_value=\">here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Events<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>19 workshops with government planning\u2019s teams<\/li>\n<li>6 workshops with authorities and civil society: 647 attendees<\/li>\n<li>6 Meetings with media opinion leaders<\/li>\n<li>Meeting with Chief of Mission of Observers of OAS, USAID and international cooperation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Debates<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>1 electoral debate (access\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/cies.org.pe\/sites\/default\/files\/pagina\/files\/transcripcion-debate-presidencial.pdf\">the transcript<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>1 programmatic debate (access\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/cies.org.pe\/sites\/default\/files\/pagina\/files\/transcripcion-debate-programatico.pdf\">the transcript<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Communication outputs<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLAA84D572953B3613\">Videos<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/cies.org.pe\/sites\/default\/files\/pagina\/files\/marketing-cies-2012_0.pdf\">Photo dissemination<\/a><\/li>\n<li>32,500 copies of policy documents (including magazines, dossier), distributed nationwide<\/li>\n<li>644 radio spots<\/li>\n<li>Virtual Policy Analysis Bulletin distributed to a database of 9000 contacts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>For the first time in the electoral history of Peru a programmatic debate took place, in which the heads of government plans of the candidates that got to the second round exposed their sectorial programs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Donors<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>IADB; NED; CIDA-IDRC; World Bank; PNUD; UNFPA; MESAGEN<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Allies<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Jurado Nacional de Elecciones; Acuerdo Nacional; Asociaci\u00f3n Civil Transparencia; Instituto de Defensa Legal y Propuesta Ciudadana<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2006:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/cies.org.pe\/es\/incidencia\/procesos-electorales\/elecciones-regionales-2006\">Regional elections 2006: Knowledge for better choice<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Main activities<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Organization and coordination of the preparation of four documents \u201cProposals for Regional Development 2007-2010\u201d.<\/li>\n<li>Three workshops with civil society to validate priorities identified in the documents.<\/li>\n<li>Seminars with regional and local leaders and candidates for regional presidencies and vice presidencies in the 3 regions.<\/li>\n<li>Meetings between the authors of the documents and the elected regional presidents and vice presidents and their advisors.<\/li>\n<li>Production of promotional materials for working with media.<\/li>\n<li>Organisation of press conferences to ensure dissemination through mass media.<\/li>\n<li>Meeting with presenters in political shows in television and radio.<\/li>\n<li>Dissemination through radio and print media<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The documents were prepared by three centers members of CIES, one in each region. Each document prioritized four or five policy issues for each region. The policy issues were selected according to the experience of each region and their development plans.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>The four documents were:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/cies.org.pe\/sites\/default\/files\/pagina\/files\/region-arequipa.pdf\">Contributions for the regional government 2007-2010: Arequipa region<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/cies.org.pe\/sites\/default\/files\/pagina\/files\/region-cusco.pdf\">Contributions for the regional government 2007-2010: Cusco region<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/cies.org.pe\/sites\/default\/files\/pagina\/files\/region-piura.pdf\">Contributions for the regional government 2007-2010: Piura region<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/cies.org.pe\/sites\/default\/files\/pagina\/files\/regiones-ninos-del-milenio.pdf\">Childhood in the regional agenda 2007-2010: Arequipa, Cusco and Piura<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Allies<\/p>\n<p>Universidad Cat\u00f3lica de Santa Mar\u00eda de Arequipa; Centro Bartolom\u00e9 de las Casas del Cusco;Centro de Investigaci\u00f3n y Promoci\u00f3n del Campesinado de Piura<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.eprc.ge\/\">Economic Policy Research Centre<\/a>\u00a0(EPRC) \/ Georgia<\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<p>info@eprc.ge<\/p>\n<h2>2014:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.econpolicyfact.ge\/en\/election\/3\">Political parties Social \u2013 Economic Programs. 2014 Elections<\/a><\/h2>\n<p>(Similar initiatives were carried out in\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.econpolicyfact.ge\/en\/election\/1\">2012 Parliamentary Elections<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.econpolicyfact.ge\/en\/election\/3\">2013 Presidential elections<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Objective<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Evaluate economic platforms and pre-election promises by political parties.<\/li>\n<li>Create an information resource base regarding the socio-economic visions of the election participant political parties for the citizens of Georgia.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Methodology<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Pre-election platforms and promises presented by political parties are examined in different categories (policy issues). Independent experts work on each categories using a new methodology developed within the framework of the project and evaluating the programs and promises using six indicators.<\/li>\n<li>In addition to evaluating the promises, experts, by using the six categories, are able to ascertain the viewpoint and receive a detailed analysis of promises made by each party.<\/li>\n<li>Election platforms and promises presented by political parties are evaluated by the following criteria: Factual accuracy, Consistency of text, Economic advisability, Feasibility; Evaluation, Placement on ideological spectrum, Ideological Flip-Flop<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The document\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.econpolicyfact.ge\/Report_en.pdf\">The Social and Economic Platforms of the Political Parties and their Expert Reviews<\/a>\u00a0analyzes political parties\u2019 promises for these policy issues: employment, education, agriculture, health care, social care and macroeconomic issues.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Events<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.econpolicyfact.ge\/en\/activities\/17?election_id=3\">Presentation \u2013 Discussion in Akhaltsikhe \u2013 Socio-Economic Programs of Election Participant Political Parties \u2013 2014 Local Elections<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.econpolicyfact.ge\/en\/activities\/13?election_id=3\">Presentation \u2013 Discussion in Marneuli \u2013 Socio-Economic Programs of Election Participant Political Parties<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.econpolicyfact.ge\/en\/activities\/16?election_id=3\">Presentation \u2013 Discussion in Tbilisi \u2013 Socio-Economic Programs of Election Participant Political Parties \u2013 2014 Local Elections<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.econpolicyfact.ge\/en\/activities\/14?election_id=3\">Presentation \u2013 Discussion in Gardabani- Socio-Economic Programs of Election Participant Political Parties<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Communication outputs<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>For 2012 Parliamentary elections, videos with presentations of the different parties\u2019 platforms were recorded.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The five language web-site was created in Georgian, Russian, English, Azeri and Armenian. This has enabled the ethnic minority representatives to gain access to the socio-economic visions of the presidential and local election participant political parties in their native languages that in itself has helped them in making a more informed political choice.<\/li>\n<li>This was the very first case that within the project, experts have prepared independent reviews of the socio-economic programs of the election participant political parties. This has enabled the society as well as the ethnic minorities to better assess the relevance and feasibility of the visions presented by the presidential election candidates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Donors<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>USAID \u2013 Georgia; East West Management Institute; Policy, Advocacy, and Civil Society Development in Georgia; US Embassy in Georgia.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Allies<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>European Initiative Liberal Academy Tbilisi, ISET Policy Institute, Transparency International Georgia.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.content.eisa.org.za\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa<\/a>\u00a0(EISA) \/ South Africa (field\u00a0offices in Central African Republic, Kenya, Mali, Madagascar, Mozambique and\u00a0 Somalia)<\/h2>\n<p>eisa@eisa.org.za<\/p>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Objectives<\/p>\n<p>To promote credible elections, citizen participation and the strengthening of political institutions for sustainable democracy in Africa, EISA\u2019s programme areas include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.content.eisa.org.za\/node\/7\">Elections and Political Processes<\/a>: seeks to influence key political processes that underpin elections in Africa and to promote the development, popularisation and application of election principles and good practices through knowledge production, election\u00a0 conflict\u00a0 management programmes,\u00a0 civic and voter education, party agent poll watch training,\u00a0 technical support and expertise to election stakeholders.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.content.eisa.org.za\/node\/123\">Political Parties Support<\/a>: aims to strengthen key democracy institutions in Africa, by building the functional capacity of political parties and foster good inter-party relations and\u00a0strengthen capacity of elected leaders to fulfil their representative and oversight role.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.content.eisa.org.za\/node\/20\">Balloting and Electoral Services<\/a>: enhances the credibility and legitimacy of organisational elections by providing independent and impartial electoral administration, management and consultancy services to business, labour, government, civic associations, tertiary institutions, community based organizations, quasi-state bodies and political parties.<\/li>\n<li>African Peer Review Mechanism. Support to civil society, research and platforms for engagement\u00a0 with the APRM review process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.content.eisa.org.za\/old-page\/publications\">Publications<\/a>\u00a0provide useful information for policy makers and academics.<\/li>\n<li>The\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.content.eisa.org.za\/old-page\/journal-african-elections\">Journal of African Elections (JAE)<\/a>\u00a0is an accredited, interdisciplinary, biannual publication of research and writing in the human sciences which seeks to promote a scholarly understanding of developments and change in Africa.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Communication outputs<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.content.eisa.org.za\/old-page\/african-election-calendar-2014\">Election calendars<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.content.eisa.org.za\/latest-news\">Blog<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Continental country profiles<\/li>\n<li>Election observation mission reports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Donors<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CIDA,\u00a0Danida, DFID, Embassy of Finland Pretoria,\u00a0Foreign &amp; Commonwealth Office (FCO), National Democratic Institute, Norwegian Foreign Affairs Ministry,\u00a0Swedish International Development Agency (Sida),\u00a0Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), UNDEF.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/expertforum.ro\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Expert Forum<\/a>\u00a0\/ Romania<\/h2>\n<p>office@expertforum.ro<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/expertforum.ro\/en\/program\/electoral-processes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Program Electoral Processes<\/a><\/h2>\n<h4>Summary<\/h4>\n<p>Objectives<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Expert Forum implements projects related to organizing procedures of the elections, accreditation of internal observers and monitoring the main electoral events. Be strongly believe in the necessity of an Electoral Code that will integrate technical procedures and the characteristics of the electoral system and will reduce the bureaucracy, the discrepancies among different types of electoral laws and will facilitate the access of the citizen to the voting process. Furthermore, fighting electoral fraud is one of the priorities of this program.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/expertforum.ro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Raport-alegeri-EFOR-2014.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2014 European parliament elections monitoring report<\/a>\u00a0(in Romanian)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/expertforum.ro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/Pol-Brief-33.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Electoral Code reform can wait no longer<\/a>\u00a0(in Romanian)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Communication outputs<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Video\u00a0The Electoral Code reform can wait no longer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"iframe-container\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Codul Electoral nu mai poate astepta\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZshfijUynRw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.fedesarrollo.org.co\/\">Fedesarrollo<\/a>\u00a0\/ Colombia<\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2>2014: Elections 2014<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Objective<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>For the 2014 presidential elections in Colombia, Fedesarrollo prepared a series of five research documents on a number of relevant issues for the next government\u2019s economic and social policy, which were used as the main inputs to promote public debate among the various candidates that participated in the election.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Research<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Research documents were elaborated on the following five policy issues:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.repository.fedesarrollo.org.co\/bitstream\/11445\/151\/3\/CDF_No_48_Marzo_2014.pdf\">Rural and Agrarian Development<\/a>,<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.repository.fedesarrollo.org.co\/bitstream\/11445\/150\/3\/CDF_No_49_Marzo_2014.pdf\">Education quality improvement<\/a>,<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.repository.fedesarrollo.org.co\/bitstream\/11445\/148\/3\/CDF_No_51_Marzo_2014.pdf\">Comprehensive care for early childhood<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.repository.fedesarrollo.org.co\/bitstream\/11445\/149\/3\/CDF_No_50_Marzo_2014.pdf\">Innovation and business entrepreneurship<\/a>, and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.repository.fedesarrollo.org.co\/bitstream\/11445\/147\/3\/CDF_No_52_Abril_2014.pdf\">Tax perspectives<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Debates<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Two debates were organized in the cities of Bogot\u00e1 and Medell\u00edn.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In the case of Medell\u00edn, Fedesarrollo gathered four out of five candidates to the Vice-presidency. The meeting was attended by 250 people.<\/li>\n<li>The event in Bogot\u00e1 was joined by 500 people plus 11,500 who joined via web-streaming.<\/li>\n<li>A systematisation of the experience can be found in this article:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/2014\/10\/09\/experience-of-fedesarrollo-in-presidential-campaigns-in-colombia\/\">Experience of Fedesarrollo in presidential campaigns in Colombia<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Allies<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fundaci\u00f3n Compartir and Fundaci\u00f3n \u00c9xito<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2010: Elections 2010<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Objective<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Raise the quality of the debate on economic issues during the first round of the presidential campaign and of providing policy proposals to the incoming administration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Main activities<\/p>\n<p>The initiative was developed in 4 steps:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Commission the papers.<\/li>\n<li>Convince the presidential candidates of the merits of the exercise.<\/li>\n<li>Organisation of the debates.<\/li>\n<li>Papers were collected in a volume following the debates.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Eight policy-oriented papers on the following issues were commissioned to local experts: labor, taxes and infrastructure.<\/li>\n<li>The proposals were gathered in the document\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.fedesarrollo.org.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Colombia-2010-2014.-Propuestas-de-Pol%C3%ADtica-P%C3%BAblica-Final.pdf\">2010 \u2013 2014 Public policy proposals<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Debates<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>3 debates with presidential candidates were organized in the cities of Cali, Barranquilla and Bogot\u00e1.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Informal discussion sessions based on the policy papers were held at Fedesarrollo with members of the transition team including the incoming Minister\u00b4s of Finance, Agriculture and Planning.<\/li>\n<li>Many of Fedesarrollo\u2019s proposals were adopted by the new administration (for instance, elimination of certain income tax exemptions, generation of formal employment for youngsters, formalisation of micro, small and medium-sized, among others).<\/li>\n<li>A systematisation of the experience can be found\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/leading-practices.cipe.wikispaces.net\/Fedesarrollo,+Colombia\">here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Donors<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Corporaci\u00f3n Andina de Fomento (CAF)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Allies<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Portafolio and Proantioquia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.fusades.org\/\">FUSADES<\/a>\u00a0\/ El Salvador<\/h2>\n<h2>2015:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.comovotar.info\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u201cHow to vote?\u201d Campaign<\/a><\/h2>\n<h4><strong>Summary\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Objective<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Contribute to the exercise of suffrage by the citizens in the elections of March 2015, revealing the correct ways to vote, thus strengthening democracy and citizen participation. This initiative was successfully performed by Fusades with other organizations in 2012.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Communication outputs<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Educational resources:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/168.243.144.135\/comovotar.info\/images\/docs\/Fusades_ComoVotar_Flyer.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u201cHow to vote\u201d flyers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=i6IgmC-2mGQ&amp;list=UU9k_67ETY9wxfFTepfStGLg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u201cHow to vote?\u201d video 1<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=fL2yD0swB3o\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u201cHow to vote?\u201d video 2<\/a><\/li>\n<li>\u201cHow to vote?\u201d video 3<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"iframe-container\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u00bfC\u00f3mo Votar? 3\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uQwSJ11FmBM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>SupportersAllies<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>TECHO, CREO and Aliados por la Democracia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2014: Legislative platforms<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Objective<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Discussion panel with political parties to share the programmatic lines that will promote over the next three years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Communication outputs<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.slideshare.net\/FUSADESORG\/plataformas-legislativas1\">Memory of the event<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>8 of 10 political parties participated of the event<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Donor<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Hanns Seidel Foundation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2014: Electoral observation 2014<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>24 voting centers were observed<\/p>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Communication outputs<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Preliminar\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/es.slideshare.net\/FUSADESORG\/posicion-dep-25final\">report<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>tbcompleted<\/p>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>tbcompleted<\/p>\n<h2>2013: Dialogues with presidential candidates<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Objective<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The dialogues were a space for reflection that sought to deepen into the proposals and plans for government of each of the candidates and inform the public in a systematic way (considering different policy areas) on actions that presidential candidates have in mind to solve the main problems of the country.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Approach<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Dialogues took place between candidates and different policy experts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.slideshare.net\/FUSADESORG\/memoria-dilogos-con-los-candidatos-a-la-presidencia-de-la-repblica-fusades-funde1\">Memory of the dialogues<\/a>. Dialogues focused on the following areas: economic, social, institutional and public safety.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Communication outputs<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Videos of dialogues with candidates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"iframe-container\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Salvador Sanchez Cer\u00e9n, FMLN. Di\u00e1logos con los Candidatos \u00c1rea Economico\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lR1B6synURI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Five candidates responded to the call and one by one spoke with a panel of eight experts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Allies<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>FUNDE<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Ongoing: Research series<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Objective<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Department of Political Studies of FUSADES develop research on electoral issues.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Some documents include\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.slideshare.net\/FUSADESORG\/serie-de-investigacin-reforma-pactada-versin-final1\">From an agreed reform to a legal change of the electoral system. The Salvadoran case<\/a>\u00a0and<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.slideshare.net\/FUSADESORG\/impacto-de-la-reforma-electoral-de-2012-el-voto-por-persona-y-el-voto-residencial?qid=963c3bae-6ca4-416c-a74d-b5f6ff853665&amp;v=qf1&amp;b=&amp;from_search=5\">Impact of the electoral reform 2012. The vote per person and the residential vote<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>tbcompleted<\/p>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>tbcompleted<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.grupofaro.org\/\">Grupo FARO<\/a>\u00a0\/ Ecuador<\/h2>\n<p>info@grupofaro.org<\/p>\n<h2>2006:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.grupofaro.org\/ciudadanizando\/index.php?page=que\">Ciudadanizando las pol\u00edticas<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Objective<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Raise the level of public debate during the election process.<\/li>\n<li>Contribute to the development of plans of government and political parties in the medium term, with the construction and monitoring of public policies of the next government.<\/li>\n<li>Improve the level of information on policy options and promote informed vote.<\/li>\n<li>Promote decentralization of electoral debate.<\/li>\n<li>Internal objective: position Grupo FARO as promoter of the use of evidence in policy making; Introduce Grupo FARO to the new government.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Main activities<\/p>\n<p>The project can be divided in seven stages:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Shape an Advisory Council.<\/li>\n<li>Launch a call to researches who were interested in writing proposals on strategic policy issues for the country.<\/li>\n<li>Selection of proposals<\/li>\n<li>Support in developing proposals<\/li>\n<li>Presentation of the proposals during the election\u2019s first round<\/li>\n<li>Replication in four cities<\/li>\n<li>Presentation of the proposals during the election\u2019s second round.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>7 documents with proposals were elaborated on the following issues:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.grupofaro.org\/sites\/default\/files\/archivos\/publicaciones\/2011\/2011-06-23\/ciudadanizando_la_politica_ambiente.pdf\">Environment<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.grupofaro.org\/sites\/default\/files\/archivos\/publicaciones\/2011\/2011-06-23\/ciudadanizando_la_politica_productividad_del_pymes.pdf\">Productivity of Small and Medium Enterprises<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.grupofaro.org\/sites\/default\/files\/archivos\/publicaciones\/2011\/2011-06-23\/ciudadanizando_la_politica_finanzas_publicas.pdf\">Public finances<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.grupofaro.org\/sites\/default\/files\/archivos\/publicaciones\/2011\/2011-06-23\/ciudadanizando_la_politica_programas_sociales.pdf\">Social programs<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.grupofaro.org\/sites\/default\/files\/archivos\/publicaciones\/2011\/2011-06-23\/ciudadanizando_la_politica_educacion.pdf\">Education<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.grupofaro.org\/sites\/default\/files\/archivos\/publicaciones\/2011\/2011-06-23\/ciudadanizando_la_politica_genero.pdf\">Gender<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.grupofaro.org\/sites\/default\/files\/archivos\/publicaciones\/2011\/2011-06-23\/ciudadanizando_la_politica_modernizacion_del_estado.pdf\">Modernization of the State<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Events<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Three Citizen Forums were organized in the cities of Tena, Manta and Riobamba. Other events (evaluation of proposals, launch of proposals) can be found\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.grupofaro.org\/ciudadanizando\/index.php?page=sem\">here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A great number of the proposals were incorporated to the winner\u2019s government plan.<\/li>\n<li>The initiative was a big opportunity to show Grupo FARO and its researchers\u2019 work.<\/li>\n<li>It was not possible to interact with all presidential candidates.<\/li>\n<li>As a consequence of the production of the studies, Grupo FARO was able to identify researchers that were then engaged in different projects within the organisation.<\/li>\n<li>The experience was an interesting opportunity to shape networks with civil society at national and supranational level.<\/li>\n<li>A reflection on the initiative can be found\u00a0in\u00a0this\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/2014\/10\/08\/orazio-bellettini-think-tanks-can-create-spaces-for-dialogue-among-relevant-actors-of-the-policy-community\/\">interview with the Executive Director<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Donors<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>UNICEF, NED, IDRC<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Allies<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Alianza Equidad, CIESPAL, Participaci\u00f3n Ciudadana Ecuador, Info Desarrollo<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/ieagh.org\/\">Institute of Economic Affairs<\/a>\u00a0(IEA) \/ Ghana<\/h2>\n<p>iea@ieagh.org<\/p>\n<p>Presentation for t<a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0B1mguR8k59EPQ1pLb2dJdFZhTzg\/view\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">he Think Tank Initiative\u2019s 2015 Exchange<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/ieagh.org\/iea-video\/portrait-of-a-nation-ghana-2\/#page_set\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Presidential Debates conducted in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012. Evening Encounters and Vice Presidential Debates held in 2008 &amp; 2012<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Objective<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Promote issue-based elections and provide a platform for political accountability. The Debates equip the electorate with requisite information on what each candidate stands for and enables them make an informed choice as to who is the best Candidate to govern them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Prior to the 2008 Debates, the IEA conducted a study and nation-wide consultations that sought to identify the gaps in Ghana\u2019s democratic practice since the coming into force of the 1992 Constitution, and to make practical recommendations for reform. The challenges and gaps identified in the study formed the basis of questions posed to the Presidential Candidates in the 2008 and 2012 Debates. The IEA invited questions from key stakeholders on various issues. A number of these questions were developed into a questionnaire. The completed questionnaire by the Candidates was published as a booklet and circulated nation-wide. This enabled the electorate know what each candidate stood for on the various policy issues.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Debates<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Debates included Presidential Debates, Vice Presidential Debates and Evening Encounters. Whereas the Presidential Debates and Vice Presidential Debates provides a single platform for Candidates of Political Parties to dialogue and answer specific questions, the Evening Encounters provide individual platform to each of the Presidential Candidates to present their programmes, policies and answer questions from the electorate.<\/li>\n<li><em>Presidential Debates<\/em>. Organized in each election year in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012. These Debates bring the Presidential Candidates of the Parliamentary Political Parties together on one platform to answer questions from the electorate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"iframe-container\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"final IEA 2012 Presidential Debate(Accra) disc 4.VOB\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/p2D0ANHvoBE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Vice Presidential Debates<\/em>. In addition to the Presidential Debates, The IEA in 2008 introduced Vice Presidential Debates. This platform enables the Vice Presidential Candidates to introduce themselves to the Ghanaian electorate, thereby enabling the electorate to assess their competence; and capability to assist in the governance of the country as well as perform as Presidents should the need arise.<\/li>\n<li><em>Evening Encounters<\/em>. In 2008, the IEA introduced the Evening Encounters to provide the Presidential Candidates the sole platform to outline their plans and vision for the nation and answer direct questions from the electorate. The Evening Encounters are different from the Presidential Debates in that each Candidate has the platform to him\/herself. Also, it is a platform that enables the Candidates to interact with Civil Society and interest groups. Indeed members of the public who are present at the Encounters pose direct questions to the Candidates and engage them on their policy positions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"iframe-container\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"2012 Evening Encounter with H.E. John Dramani Mahama disc3.VOB\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mIAV6DPnN0E?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>More videos of presidential, vice presidential and evening encounter debates can be found\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/ieagh.org\/iea-video\/portrait-of-a-nation-ghana-2\/#page_set\">here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Communication outputs<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Debates are telecast by all media houses, that is, radio and television stations. The recorded Debates are played over the course of two weeks and discussions held. All major newspapers also transcribe the debates. In 2012, the Debates were streamed live by several radio stations and this enabled Ghanaians abroad to watch the Debates.\u00a0 The IEA also produces DVDs and circulate copies to key stakeholders. Additionally, all the Debates are transcribed and published in reports. These reports are circulated to 2000 most influential Ghanaians including media houses and serialized in the newspapers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Debates have been successful in lowering the political temperature and reducing tension as well as contributing to peaceful elections in Ghana. For example, the video clips on the peace pledge of the Presidential Candidates holding hands together was used by the National Commission for Civic Education and the media\u00a0to promote peace throughout the country. The regent of Dagbon Traditional Area wrote to commend The IEA for organizing one of the Debates in Northern Ghana and promoting peace in the volatile area.<\/li>\n<li>The Debates helped Ghana to move campaigns away from one based on personalities, insults, acrimony to an issues-based campaign and Debates.\u00a0 Indeed, following the Debates, the political landscape and media is dominated by a comparative analysis of the political parties and their policy positions on issues.<\/li>\n<li>The electronic media have also translated the Debates extensively into all the major dialects of Ghana to enable the unlettered understand the issues raised. This also enables the electorate to make an informed choice on election day. Hitherto, the electorate had no opportunity to hear first hand from the Candidates. The Debates and Evening Encounters have afforded the electorate the opportunity to know what each Candidate stands for.<\/li>\n<li>The Debates and Evening Encounters have also served as accountability platforms in that the one who gets elected is held accountable for his or her policy positions.<\/li>\n<li>The Debates have not only been campaign platforms. Leaders have gone ahead to implement policy proposals they articulated on the debate platform. For instance, Ghana\u2019s constitution review exercise was a pledge made on the 2008 Debate Platform. The passage of the IEA-sponsored Presidential Transition Bill into law was also a commitment articulated on the 2008 Debate platform. The appointment of several women including the Chief Justice,\u00a0Attorney-General, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner for the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice and several other ministers and deputy ministers were in fulfillment of the promise to increase the number of women in the decision making process.<\/li>\n<li>Ghana is the only country in West Africa to have held four Presidential Debates back to back.<\/li>\n<li>In 2012 the sitting president of Ghana participated in the debate for the first time.<\/li>\n<li>A systematisation of the experience can be found in this article:\u00a0<em><a href=\"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/2015\/02\/13\/the-iea-presidential-debates-15-years-of-upholding-electoral-accountability\/\">The IEA presidential debates: 15 years of upholding electoral\u00a0accountability<\/a>.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Allies<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Four main Political Parties with representation in Parliament, media houses, civil society and public interest bodies including the Trades Union Congress, Ghana Journalists Association, Gender Groups.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ifs.org.uk\/\">Institute for Fiscal Studies<\/a>\u00a0\/ UK<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>mailbox@ifs.org.uk<\/p>\n<h2>2014:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/election2015.ifs.org.uk\/\">Election 2015 website<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Provide initial analysis of what has happened to a set of policy issues over the last five years<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Analysis on the following policy issues is provided:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/election2015.ifs.org.uk\/public-finances\">Public Finances<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/election2015.ifs.org.uk\/public-spending\">Public Spending<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/election2015.ifs.org.uk\/taxes\">Taxes<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/election2015.ifs.org.uk\/benefits\">Benefits and Tax Credits<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/election2015.ifs.org.uk\/distributional-analysis\">Distributional Analysis<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/election2015.ifs.org.uk\/living-standards\">Living Standards<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/election2015.ifs.org.uk\/earnings-and-employment\">Earnings and Employment<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/election2015.ifs.org.uk\/earnings-and-employment\">Pensions<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/election2015.ifs.org.uk\/early-years-and-childcare\">Early Years and Childcare<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/election2015.ifs.org.uk\/schools\">Schools<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/election2015.ifs.org.uk\/higher-education\">Higher Education Funding<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/election2015.ifs.org.uk\/business-taxes\">Business Taxes<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/election2015.ifs.org.uk\/growth-and-investment\">Growth and Productivity<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Communication outputs<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/election2015.ifs.org.uk\/uploads\/publications\/pr\/pr_election2015_website.pdf\">Press release<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Timelines are also shared in the project\u2019s website.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>tbcompleted<\/p>\n<p><strong>Supporters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Donors<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Nuffield Foundation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.plaas.org.za\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies<\/a>\u00a0(PLAAS), University of the Western Cape \/ South Africa<\/h2>\n<p>info@plaas.org.za<\/p>\n<h2>2014\u00a0<strong>General Elections<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h4>Summary<\/h4>\n<p>Objectives<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Make the public aware of government\u2019s political machinations regarding new policies with progressive titles introduced to look progressive enough to secure the vote, while in fact not having much benefit for most South Africans\/ Inform the public of the hidden costs and problems with the proposed policies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Analyse the proposed policies to identify the key proposals and identify existing research that speaks to those proposals i.e. literature review.<\/li>\n<li>Analyse the proposed government budget for land reform, and identify if it is adequate to meet governments plans proposed in the policies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Communication outputs<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Held 2 public events to discuss the policies with civil society organisations.<\/li>\n<li>Submit comments to government during the governments time limits for collecting comments on policies &amp; circulate comments in public via social media and mailing lists.<\/li>\n<li>Write numerous press releases and blogs, highlighting the problematic aspects of the policies, and the declining government budget to implement the policies.<\/li>\n<li>Write OpEds and conduct print media, radio and television interviews about the policies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Results<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Informed civil society of problems with policies and built opposition to them.<\/li>\n<li>Supported civil society organisations in making submissions to government about their opposition to the policies.<\/li>\n<li>Increased opposition to the detrimental policies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Supporters<\/h4>\n<p>Allies<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Civil society and usually conservative farmers\u2019 organisations opposed the policies.<\/li>\n<li>Other research organisations agreed with and backed our analysis.<\/li>\n<li>Media editors created substantial space for PLAAS to take its message forward.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/riskmonitor.bg\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Risk Monitor<\/a>\u00a0\/ Bulgaria<\/h2>\n<p>riskmonitorinfo@gmail.com<\/p>\n<h2>The \u0415lectoral Process in Bulgaria \u2013 Main Deficiencies and Risks<\/h2>\n<h4>Summary<\/h4>\n<p>Objectives<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Analytical overview of the development of rules for conducting elections of 1990 so far;<\/li>\n<li>Empirical research in three key municipalities in the country with a view to outline the main risks for the local elections in the year 2011;<\/li>\n<li>Analysis and summary of the expert view on the issue of \u201cVote buying\u201d and the implications it features in Bulgarian environment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Research<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The \u0415lectoral Process in Bulgaria \u2013 Main Deficiencies and Risks in\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/riskmonitor.bg\/js\/tiny_mce\/plugins\/ajaxfilemanager\/upload\/Reports\/RM-24-Elections.pdf\">Bulgarian<\/a>\u00a0and in\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/riskmonitor.bg\/js\/tiny_mce\/plugins\/ajaxfilemanager\/upload\/Reports\/RM-24-fr-book.pdf\">French<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Supporters<\/h4>\n<p>Donors<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Organisation Internationale de La Francophonie<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/sar.org.ro\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Romanian Academic Society<\/a>\u00a0(SAR) \/ Romania<\/h2>\n<p>office@sar.org.ro<\/p>\n<h2>Romanian Coalition for a Clean Parliament \/ 2004 &amp; 2008<\/h2>\n<h4>Summary<\/h4>\n<p>Objectives<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Coalition for a Clean Parliament was a coalition of NGOs which set out to inform the electorate regarding the parliamentary candidates before the 2004 elections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Components (research, events, debates, communication outputs)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Communications outputs<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A guide for choosing MPs was drafted, containing criteria for assessing how suitable candidates were. Over 2 million of these were distributed as leaflets largely in rural areas.<\/li>\n<li>Political integrity was defined and an agreement called the White Paper of Good Governance was signed with the political parties.<\/li>\n<li>Blacklists of candidates were also drafted and sent to the party leadership.<\/li>\n<li>Pressure was put on parties to drop blacklisted candidates, including public shaming.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/sar.org.ro\/coalitia-pentru-un-parlament-curat-2004\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>A Quest for Political Integrity<\/em><\/a>\u00a0\u2013 book in English, tells the story of how the coalition came to be, their activity, obstacles, threats and ultimate success.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Results<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>The coalition won all law suits filed against it by candidates and office-holders. A total of 98 candidates were withdrawn from the lists or lost the elections, even though 104 blacklisted candidates did make it to Parliament. The coalition thus enjoyed a success rate of close to 50%.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Supporters<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Active Watch \u2013 Media Monitoring Agency,\u00a0Open Society Foundation,\u00a0Civic Alliance, APADOR-CH,\u00a0Asociatia Pro Democratia,\u00a0The Group for Social Dialogue,\u00a0The Association of Political Science Students,\u00a0FreedomHouse Romania,\u00a0Centre for Independent Journalism.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Some thinktankers may suggest that electoral years are\u00a0dead for think tanks: they are not good for undertaking new research or for communicating their findings because they do not know who might win and what they will decide to do -and so it is best to wait until after the elections. Some think tanks would disagree: [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","tags":[184,216],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource\/1208"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/resource"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource\/1208\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2842592,"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource\/1208\/revisions\/2842592"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1208"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1208"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}