from web portals to databases
As a leader in the development of parliaments and political parties, DIG Consultants recognizes the value in online tools and information that can support those working with political institutions to enable them to achieve results.
DIG believes in providing educated support for all levels of government, in all areas of interest. Here are a few web portals that DIG believes provides such support to governments of various levels all over the world.
DIG has lots of experience with government reports. Here are a few non-DIG reports that can help governments of various levels all over the world.
DIG has helped write and produce several toolkits on gender, budgeting, political parties, and more. Here are a few non-DIG tools that can help governments of various levels all over the world.
See DIG’s list of publications for more reports, toolkits, and resources on government
WEB PORTALS ABOUT GOVERNMENT
AGORA – THE WEB PORTAL FOR PARLIAMENTS
agora-parl.org is the most comprehensive web-based resource on parliamentary development. Managed by UNDP, the web portal has online courses, the world’s largest library of parliament reference materials and other key resources.
ACE ELECTORAL KNOWLEDGE PORTAL
Ace is a web portal managed by some of the leading organizations working in the field of electoral assistance and providing reference materials and an electoral assistance encyclopedia.
iKNOW POLITICS
The International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics (iKNOW Politics) is the world’s foremost resource for the promotion of women in politics, including online discussions, access to reference materials and blogs & videos.
INTERNATIONAL IDEA
The International Institute for Democracy & Electoral Assistance (IDEA) is a multi-lateral organization based in Stockholm, Sweden that is one the world’s leading advocates for democratic, multi-party political systems. Its website includes a large number of online reference materials, databases and online materials.
CONSTITUTION NET
International IDEA supports a web portal of resources, information and training materials related to the development of constitutions globally.
U4 ANTI-CORRUPTION RESOURCE CENTRE
A global web portal focused on the development and the need to address anti-corruption as a key component of social and economic development, including reference materials, online courses and other information.
DATABASES ON GOVERNMENT
LEGISLATION ONLINE
The Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe (OSCE) maintains an online database of legislation on numerous topics from its 57 member states. A good resource to compare legislation from a number of countries.
The Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD)
NIMD works to promote peaceful, just and inclusive democracies worldwide. Here you can find our publications, like our multi-annual strategies, annual reports and evaluations. Our thematic brochures cover the different themes of our work, from strengthening democratic institutions to breaking down barriers to women and youth in politics.
Policy Commons
Policy Commons is site run by Coherent Digital, providing modules and handbooks on various topics. This includes topics on women’s rights, select countries, world cities and local governments, refugee laws, and many more.
Coherent Digital
Coherent Digital is a site dedicated to research and learning. It specialises in finding and preserving endangered materials (grey literature, primary sources, new media, voices from the Global South) to make them more accessible. Coherent Digital works with academic libraries, governments, think tanks, and corporations to achieve this goal.
The National Democratic Institute (NDI)
NDI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that believes a world rooted in freedom fosters more stability, security and prosperity for everyone. There website contains several resources in various languages and topics.
DAC Evaluation Resource Centre (DEReC)
DEReC is an extensive and unique resource with over 3,000 evaluation reports from development agencies, regularly updated to facilitate learning and provide evidence of effective practices. It is apart of The OECD: Better policies for better lives, and has been around since 1983.
TOOLS AND REPORTS FOR GOVERNMENT
GLOBAL PARLIAMENTARY REPORT (2012)
The Global Parliamentary Report is a joint publication of the IPU and UNDP. It analyses parliamentary strategies and draws attention to good practices. The Annex contains data on the world’s parliaments, and a companion web site provides interactive data maps and video clips.
UNDP EMPOWERING WOMEN IN POLITICS HANDBOOK
This publication identifies targeted interventions for promoting the stronger presence and influence of women in political parties as well as advancing gender equality issues in party policies and platforms. The lessons learned and common strategies in this Guide are drawn mainly, but not exclusively, from 20 case studies that were commissioned by UNDP and conducted by NDI during 2009-2010. The entry points identified are designed to provide ideas for action for political parties, development assistance providers, party foundations, and CSOs in their work to support parties. This full-length version, including 20 case studies, is available in English. The “Good Practices Guide” (abridged version) is available in English, French, Russian and Arabic.
UNDP STRATEGY NOTE ON PARLIAMENTARY DEVELOPMENT (2009)
The Parliamentary Development Strategy Note establishes a policy framework for the services that UNDP provides in parliamentary development. It describes the niche of UNDP as a partner in parliamentary development, provides practical advice and guidance for UNDP governance practitioners and sets out key trends and lessons learned from parliamentary development experiences.
Guide on Green Parliaments:
Actions to Promote Sustainable Practices within Parliaments
This guide outlines actions that parliaments can take to measure their current environmental footprint, and using this information, improve their sustainability practices and consciousness. This is not a complete set of potential actions, but rather a tool to start a dialogue within parliaments and to assist in the establishment of internal commitments and the development of a corresponding plan of action.
RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS: A HOW-TO GUIDE (2014)
This Guide is a publication by UNDP and the Climate Parliament in the framework of their joint Parliamentary Action on Renewable Energy (PARE) project. The Guide explores the benefits of renewable energy development, presents an overview of renewable energy technologies and their respective applications, and offers concrete guidelines and tips for parliamentary action. Specific attention is paid to regulatory and policy frameworks.
GOPAC ANTI-CORRUPTION ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS (2013)
UNDP and GOPAC produced the Anti-Corruption Assessment Tool for Parliamentarians to support their vital role in the UNCAC system. The tool was jointly and successfully tested in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco and Timor-Leste. It is specially designed for parliamentarians and focuses on their role in ensuring effective UNCAC implementation.
THE SDG HANDBOOK FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS (2017)
Parliament’s Role in Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals: A Parliamentary Handbook has been produced jointly by the United Nations Development Programme, the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption and the Islamic Development Bank, and it is designed to be an easy-to-use resource that can help parliamentarians and parliamentary staff members play an effective role in implementing the SDGs. It introduces Agenda 2030 and lists good practices and tools from around the world that can be adapted, as needed, depending on the national context. Parliamentarians around the globe is invited to use this handbook as a practical tool to promote engagement on the Sustainable Development Goals.
MCGILL UNIVERSITY EXECUTIVE PROGRAM IN PARLIAMENTARY DEVELOPMENT
McGill University’s School of Continuing Studies, in collaboration with international partners, offers two programs: one tailored toward staff and the other focusing on newly elected MPs.
AGORA MP INDUCTION COURSE
The INTER PARES provides courses that aim at strengthening the capacity of parliaments, in both EU Member States and partner countries, by enhancing their legislative, oversight, representative, budgetary, and administrative functions. The Pro PALOP-TL SAI works on creating courses that address topics related to public financial management and aim at strengthening the capacities of SAIs, Parliaments, Ministries of finances and CSOs.
Education Tools Page
This is a list of resources produced by DIG, for school administrators or teachers looking for materials, modules, videos, and other resources related to parliaments, political parties and elections.