Project Overview

In every region of the world, people are frustrated with their political institutions. Public opinion polls consistently cite declining levels of trust in political parties. And in dozens of countries across the globe, people have taken to the streets to protest corruption, civic oppression, limited socio-economic opportunities and other collective grievances. In the Czech Republic, Guatemala, Kenya and elsewhere, new groups have channeled these frustrations into the formal political arena, offering innovative forms of political engagement and proposals to transform the political system. Even as they contest elections and seek to control the reins of government, MBPs often reject the label of political party, a title they consider to be irreparably tainted.

While some MBPs fall along the illiberal spectrum, others outline objectives –such as increasing transparency in politics or expanding meaningful inclusion – that seem consistent with democratic progress and renewal. Despite their initial promise, however, several MBPs have struggled to translate their momentum into electoral success, effective governance, or the political reforms they campaigned on.

In order to help build a base of knowledge, resources, and internal capacities, NDI's Political Parties Team launched its Movement-Based Parties Initiative in 2020. Since then, it has developed a set of resources and trainings designed to strengthen NDI's internal capacity to engage with MBPs and enhance the capacities of MBPs themselves.