National Democratic Institute

Examples of local responses

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) has published an overview with examples of creative municipal responses to COVID-19, highlighting the importance of the role of local authorities and the good practices of cities in dealing with the socio-economic and political problems raised by the health crisis. NDI presented a local initiative in Ukraine as an example of real coordination in responding to Covid-19.

With the help of its partners, the Institute has led an initiative to deal effectively with the COVID crisis in Libya, and is developing inclusive responses for people with disabilities.

Online resources

Raising awareness of the threat to democratic systems at the time of the health crisis, NDI stressed that transparent, accountable, responsive, open and inclusive governance is essential to crisis response. In addition, NDI has developed several tools to provide politicians with guidance on how to respond to COVID-19:

• a guide on "what to do during the pandemic",
• a guide on political decision-making in times of crisis, *
• a guide on crisis communication,
• a toolkit.

The institute has also recorded podcasts on topics such as elections during the crisis and the importance of governance during the crisis. The NDI recently published an article showing how Tunisian localities are dealing with the crisis. It also developed a practical guide to help civil society organisations plan and act during a crisis, published a report on COVID-19 and democracy, as well as an article on how the Coronavirus Risks Exacerbating Women’s Political Exclusion.

Online Events

The NDI organised a webinar on the governance challenges posed by COVID-19 with the aim of promoting transparency in government and combating misinformation through the use of technology and digital adaptations.

On 10 December 2020, the NDI organised an online event that will focus on the challenges it has faced as a result of the pandemic, and how it has carried out its mission.