USAID is building on previous support to electoral processes through the Strengthening Elections Administration Activity (SEAA) program implemented by IFES.  The SAAA program will focus on enhancing the capacity of the Central Election Commission (CEC) and the Election Complaints and Appeal Panel (ECAP) to independently deliver credible and widely-accepted elections to an informed voting public. To accomplish this overarching goal, the activity will focus on two key areas: supporting institutions to efficiently and independently uphold their roles and responsibilities; and supporting CEC and ECAP to effectively conduct local and parliamentary elections. The program will pay special attention to gender and previously disadvantaged groups, both as election officials and voters.                        

Targeted capacity building of CEC Secretariat and field-based staff will improve competencies in technical areas identified by CEC, such as election operations, voter registration, civic and voter education, and registration of out-of-country voters. IFES will also assist CEC’s gender mainstreaming by integrating a women’s electoral officials leadership training curriculum and it will facilitate reviews of materials and procedures through a gender and inclusion lens.                                                                  

Throughout the implementation of the Strengthening Elections Administration Activity, USAID will place special attention on the capacity building and the inclusion of traditionally marginalized communities, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

Project Duration:    August 2016 - February 2019
Contact:                      Luljeta Gjonbala
Partner:                       International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)
Geographic Target: Kosovo