Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy

The Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) is a democracy assistance organisation of political parties in the Netherlands for political parties in young democracies.

Currently working with more than 150 political parties from 16 programme countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe, NIMD supports:

1. Joint initiatives by parties to improve the democratic system in their country;
2. The institutional development of political parties; and
3. Efforts to improve relations between political parties, civil society and the media.

Dialogue

In several of the countries where NIMD operates, political parties have established Centres for Multiparty Democracy (CMDs). These centres provide a neutral setting where political adversaries have the opportunity to discuss how they can work together to strengthen democracy.

Exchange

NIMD encourages political parties to organise exchanges with counterparts from neighbouring countries. In these regional programmes, democratic politicians from various countries convene in order to learn from each other, share experiences and help others promote democratic reforms.

Expertise of political practitioners

Founded in 2000 by seven Dutch parties (CDA, PvdA, VVD, Groenlinks, D66, Christen Unie and SGP), NIMD draws on the expertise of political practitioners in its programmes. In addition, NIMD has engaged the youth branches of the Dutch political parties in its work. Organised under the banner of Young NIMD, these youth teams have developed initiatives to exchange their knowledge and experience with young politicians in NIMD programme countries.