“Long-term promotion of democracy with a special
emphasis on citizen-oriented, participatory and direct-democratic
developments worldwide”.
The Swiss Democracy Foundation (SDF) realises projects and collaborates with partners to safeguard and foster democracy, with a specific emphasis on citizen engagement, tolerance towards minorities, and global comprehension.
The foundation is overseen by a Board consisting of four members and is supported by an international Advisory Board. The foundation is headquartered in Lucerne, Switzerland.
We are observing how different societies with varying democratic tendencies are handling the current global crises worldwide. In times of conflicts, pandemics, and emergencies related to the climate, it is of utmost importance to have careful leadership, unbiased scientific advice, and complete transparency. Trust is a crucial factor in maintaining a healthy relationship between citizens, politicians and authorities.
The most effective way to achieve this is by ensuring that individuals are fully informed about their rights and freedoms, and that they can rely on solid social welfare protection. Robust democratic societies are better equipped to deal with such challenges, while regimes with low levels of trust frequently have recourse to authoritarian and populist methods.
Building democratic trust capital constitutes the primary goal of the Swiss Democracy Foundation.
Would you like to support our work? We rely on your generous support and commitment.
See CURRENT MEDIA COVERAGE
Current Activities
Publications
Here you will find an overview of publications to which the SDF and its predecessor organisations have made significant contributions in collaboration with partner organisations.
The Direct Democracy Navigator
The Direct Democracy Navigator is a so far unique online tool which assembles data from around the world on direct democracy.
Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy
The Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy is the largest global conference on participatory and direct democracy. The twelfth edition took place from 15 to 18 May 2024 in Bucharest, Romania.