Locations
ASPIRE
Arab States Partnership for Inclusive Rights in Elections
REGIONAL CONTEXT
Across the Arab States, electoral institutions and democratic participation continue to face complex and evolving challenges shaped by political polarization, conflict, shrinking civic space, and barriers to inclusive political participation.
At the same time, rapidly changing digital environments, including misinformation, hate speech, online violence, and emerging artificial intelligence technologies, are creating new pressures on electoral integrity, public trust, and democratic processes.
Women, youth, and marginalized groups continue to face persistent obstacles to meaningful participation and representation in political and electoral life across the region.
In this context, ASPIRE supports regional cooperation, institutional strengthening, inclusive participation, and digital readiness by working with electoral management bodies, regional organizations, civil society actors, and leadership networks to advance more resilient, transparent, and future-oriented electoral processes across the Arab States.
WHAT IS ASPIRE?
ASPIRE is a regional initiative implemented by UNDP with support from Sida to strengthen and consolidate electoral processes and management across the Arab States through regional engagement, cooperation, and inclusive participation.
As a regional component of the Governance for People and Planet (G4PP) global programme, ASPIRE supports regional institutions, electoral management bodies, civil society actors, and inclusive leadership initiatives to advance credible, transparent, and future-oriented electoral processes.
Building on more than a decade of regional electoral support, ASPIRE works to strengthen electoral integrity, democratic dialogue, digital resilience, and the meaningful participation of women, youth, and marginalized groups across the region.
Our Impact
More in Depth
15+ countries engaged across regional and national activities
~100+ activities delivered across 17 locations, including regional trainings, peer exchanges, technical support, and knowledge initiatives
850+ participants reached, including electoral professionals, civil society actors, and institutional stakeholders
14+ partners engaged, including electoral management bodies, and regional and global organizations
eMonitor+ deployed in Jordan and Libya, and initiated in Lebanon, with continued use in 30+ countries globally
13 electoral management bodies engaged through the ArabEMBs and LAS activities
Nearly 60 women leaders from 40 countries participated in the 2025 Women’s Leadership Academy in the Digital Era
Multiple regional knowledge products advanced, including:
Digital Readiness Assessment Framework
Survey on inclusion of PWDs in elections
ArabEMBs AI and Elections Survey
Regional electoral data (calendar and voter statistics)
2 active regional networks (Women and Youth) supporting national-level replication and engagement
New regional workstream launched on digital readiness and disability inclusion (PWDs)
Our engagement
Key Projects
NEWSLETTERS
Access ASPIRE newsletters and updates documenting regional activities, partnerships, workshops, conferences, and initiatives implemented across the Arab States.
PARTNERS & DONORS
