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Constitutional Governance and Rule of Law

In-Country Assistance

/Graphic design courtesy of Research Retold
/Graphic design courtesy of Research Retold
International IDEA strongly believes that constitution-building must be a sovereign, nationally owned process. The most important expertise resides in the country – from those who understand and live through the history, political dynamics, societal changes, and the everyday consequences of constitutional choices. For this reason, International IDEA provides assistance only in response to direct requests from national actors.

In recent years, International IDEA has supported constitution-building processes across Latin America, the Caribbean, European Partnership Countries, North Africa and the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, South-east Asia and the Pacific. 

Forms of assistance include:

  • Induction retreats for newly formed constitution-making bodies.
  • Ongoing technical support, including options papers on constitutional design choices and assistance in designing public participation campaigns.
  • Dialogue facilitation between constitution-makers in different countries.
  • Dialogue and mediation support for political actors during negotiations.
  • Training and capacity building workshops for constitution-makers, their staff and civil society organizations.
  • Confidential research and advisory support in response to specific requests for information.

Recent countries where International IDEA has responded to requests from state or civil society actors include:

Armenia  Barbados Belize Bolivia
Botswana Burkina Faso Chad Chile
Ecuador The Gambia Libya Mali
Myanmar Nepal Panama The Philippines
Somalia South Sudan Sri Lanka Sudan
Tunisia Tuvalu Ukraine Yemen

Tailored, Country-Specific Engagement

Through International IDEA's dedicated Constitutional Governance and Rule of Law Programme and in-house group of experts, we are uniquely placed to provide multi-year or ad hoc assistance, depending on the needs identified by constitution-making bodies. 

  • In some cases, such as Nepal, this has meant establishing an in-country office capable of providing daily support to national stakeholders.
  • In other cases, such as The Gambia, assistance has involved a series of expert missions aligned with key decision points.
  • In highly complex cases, such as Myanmar, International IDEA has supported democratic actors both inside the country and in political exile. 

European Union (EU)-Funded Facility on Justice in Conflict and Transition

International IDEA also manages the EU-funded ‘Facility on Justice in Conflict and Transition’ which provides rapid short-term missions at the request of EU delegations on issues relating to constitution making, transitional justice, and related issues.  

The objective of this assistance is not to draft constitutions or dictate outcomes. Instead, we aim to listen, ask questions and provide information based on comparative experience to enable those actors to make informed decisions that reflect their own priorities, values, and contexts. 

To request assistance, please contact us.
 

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