Democracy doesn’t defend itself. Across the world, civic movements, journalists, and communities are fighting to protect the right to vote, speak freely, and hold power to account — often under enormous pressure. The grants below illustrate how Action for Democracy supports that fight.

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I. Electoral Empowerment and Integrity

 

Polish Women’s Strike – Poland

In Poland’s 2023 elections, we supported the Polish Women’s Strike to run a nationwide voter mobilization campaign focused on abortion rights. The campaign reached nearly 3 million people and contributed to a historic increase in turnout among young women.

 

United for Hungary / MMM – Hungary

We supported MMM, a cross-ideological civic movement, to mobilize voters against a government referendum that equated same-sex relationships with pedophilia. The campaign successfully invalidated the initiative — showing that inclusive civic mobilization can succeed even in restrictive environments.

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II. Digital Capacity Building

 

Quid – Brazil / Latin America

Action for Democracy funded Quid, a civic communications lab that trains social movements and civil society organizations across Latin America to communicate effectively online — reaching younger audiences and defending democratic values in polarizing debates.

 

ichbinhier e.V. – Germany

We supported ichbinhier — Germany’s largest counterspeech initiative — to build a digital tool helping volunteers identify and respond quickly to hate speech and disinformation, reducing the silencing effect of organized online hate.

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III. Democratic Innovation

 

Asuntos del Sur – Argentina / Regional

We co-developed the Markers of Democratic Backsliding toolkit — a practical early-warning system that helps researchers and citizens detect when governments begin to undermine democracy, using publicly available evidence against four clear warning signs.

 

Causante – Peru / Andean Region

Action for Democracy supported the Andean Civic Ecosystem pilot in Lima, testing ways for civic groups, journalists, funders, and businesses to pool resources and support one another — helping democratic organizations survive in more restrictive political conditions.

 

Kispolgár – Hungary

Action for Democracy supported Kispolgár — Hungary’s only news platform for children aged 10–14 — to sustain its free app and website covering politics, society, climate, and science. The project helps young readers develop critical thinking habits in a highly constrained media environment.

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IV. Human Rights Advocacy

 

Budapest Pride – Hungary

We supported the Budapest Rainbow Mission Foundation to organize the 30th Budapest Pride March after the Hungarian government moved to restrict public demonstrations. The grant covered infrastructure, legal support, and volunteer mobilization for what became the largest Pride march in the country’s history.

 

Khmer Movement for Democracy – Cambodia / Global Advocacy

Cambodia shows what authoritarianism looks like when it entrenches itself. Action for Democracy supports the Khmer Movement for Democracy to sustain international pressure for democratic restoration in Cambodia.