Empowering Liberal Women in Politics
2025-02-23 17:00 - 2025-02-25 17:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Capacity building Networking Programme
The training aims to strengthen women leaders and provide them with the skills they need to gain access to the decision-making process.
It aims also to promote women’s leadership as an added value for a liberal society based on the principles of gender equality and diversity.

Amelioration of youth and women’s participation in politics: Legal Frameworks
2025-03-13 09:00 - 18:00 (Europe/Brussels)
🔙 Back to WYDE
Enhancement and support of legal and policy frameworks focussing on the amelioration of youth and women’s meaningful participation in political parties and as candidates through a seminar-series for parliamentarians. The parliamentarians develop own proposals that shall be presented to the National Assembley and are the basis for a wider discussion with civil society actors, legal experts, the media and political leaders in Côte d’Ivoire.

Strengthening Civic and Political Education for Young People
2025-04-15 08:00 - 2025-04-17 17:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Man
Capacity Building for Youth Empowerment in the Democratic Political Process in Côte d’Ivoire
The participation of young people in democratic processes is essential for building a more inclusive and representative society. This training program, implemented under the Women and Youth in Democracy Initiative (WYDE), seeks to empower young people in Côte d’Ivoire by equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to engage actively in civic and political life.
Through a structured learning process that combines online training, in-person workshops, and mentorship sessions, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of key democratic principles, the functioning of political institutions, and the importance of informed and responsible participation in governance.
The program covers topics such as democracy and the rule of law, public administration, political ideologies, and media literacy. Participants will also have the opportunity to engage in discussions with experts and political leaders, allowing them to develop critical thinking skills and foster constructive political dialogue.
By the end of the program, young participants will be better prepared to take on leadership roles within political parties, civil society organizations, and decision-making bodies, contributing to a more democratic and transparent society.
📍 Locations and Dates:

Online training: March 3-14, 2025
In-person workshops:

Abidjan: April 2-4, 2025
Man: April 15-17, 2025
Bouaké: April 23-25, 2025

Online mentoring sessions: May, June, and July 2025
Final workshop and certificate ceremony: August 4, 2025, in Abidjan

🤝 Partner: Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS)
💻 Format:

Virtual training sessions
In-person workshops
Group mentoring sessions with political and civic leaders

Empowering Young Political Leaders for Inclusive and Democratic Governance
2025-04-22 09:00 - 2025-04-26 18:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
📢 Training of Young Political Leaders in Côte d’Ivoire
Youth engagement in political life is essential for the strengthening of democracy and inclusive governance. In Côte d’Ivoire, where young people make up a significant portion of the population, they continue to face barriers to participation in political decision-making. This training program aims to equip 20 young political leaders (men and women aged 18–35) from Côte d’Ivoire with the knowledge and skills necessary to play a more active and effective role within their parties and the wider democratic process.
Organized under the WYDE Political Parties project and implemented by the Institute for Governance and Development (IGD) in partnership with the Swedish Centre Party International Foundation (CIS), this training is led by the European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP) and powered by the European Union. It is part of a broader effort to foster a new generation of politically engaged youth capable of leading with integrity, inclusivity, and a strong understanding of democratic values.
The training includes the following thematic modules:

Political Leadership

Electoral Processes and Democracy

Political and Media Communication

Political Ideologies

Through a participatory methodology that combines theoretical learning, group work, role-playing, and expert exchanges, the program will provide participants with both conceptual knowledge and practical tools to enhance their political impact.
📍 Location:
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
📅 Date:April 22–26, 2025
🤝 Partners:Institute for Governance and Development (IGD), CIS (Swedish Centre Party International Foundation)

Empowering Women Through Civic and Political Education
2025-05-26 09:00 - 2025-08-25 18:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Capacity Building for Gender Equality in the Democratic Political Process in Côte d’Ivoire
Women’s participation in political and decision-making processes is a fundamental pillar of democratic governance. However, despite representing a significant portion of the population, women continue to be underrepresented in leadership positions and political institutions in Côte d’Ivoire.
As part of the Women and Youth in Democracy Initiative (WYDE), this capacity-building program is specifically designed to empower women by strengthening their civic and political education. The program aims to equip participants with a strong understanding of democratic principles, governance mechanisms, and the socio-economic implications of political decisions, enabling them to play an active role in shaping public policies.
The training will provide a mix of theoretical knowledge and practical engagement, covering topics such as electoral systems, political party structures, citizen responsibilities, and strategies for effective political participation. Participants will engage in interactive discussions, debates, and mentoring sessions with experts and political leaders, fostering confidence and leadership skills essential for their political and civic engagement.
By the end of the program, women participants will be better prepared to integrate into political parties, civil society organizations, and public institutions, contributing to the promotion of gender equality and inclusive governance in Côte d’Ivoire.
📍 Locations and Dates:

Online training: March 17-21 and April 7-11, 2025
In-person workshops:

Abidjan: May 6-8, 2025
Man: May 14-16, 2025
Bouaké: May 21-23, 2025

Online mentoring sessions: June and July 2025
Final workshop and certificate ceremony: August 5, 2025, in Abidjan

🤝 Partner: Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS)
💻 Format:

Virtual training sessions
In-person workshops
Group mentoring sessions with political and civic leaders

Training of trainers for young political leaders in Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire
2025-06-17 09:00 - 2025-06-19 18:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
🗓️ Date: 17–19 June 2025📍 Location: BnB Hotel, Cocody 8ème Tranche, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire🔗 Organisers: IGD (Institut pour la Gouvernance et le Développement) & CIS (Centerpartiets Internationella Stiftelse)
In the framework of the WYDE Political Parties Project, this Training of Trainers aims to build a network of dynamic and competent young political trainers in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire. From 17 to 19 June 2025, 30 young men and women from the main political parties of both countries will gather in Abidjan to strengthen their skills in adult education, leadership, political communication and gender-responsive governance.
Participants are selected among politically active youth, alumni of leadership programmes such as PYPA, and party members committed to promoting inclusion and participation from within their political structures.
The training adopts an interactive, hands-on approach and covers key topics such as:

Principles and techniques of adult education (andragogy).
Learning objectives and training module design.
Facilitation and group dynamics.
Evaluation methods and inclusive leadership.

Objectives

Equip participants with pedagogical and facilitation tools tailored to political party contexts.
Enable them to design and deliver effective training sessions for youth and women in their respective parties.
Foster a peer-learning network committed to inclusive political development in the region.

Expected Results

Young leaders trained as political trainers
Strengthened internal party capacity to reach and engage youth and women
Long-term investment in inclusive leadership at grassroots level

Target Group

30 young political leaders (ages 18–35)
From 8 political parties in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire
At least 30% of participants will be women

Partners
This initiative is implemented by IGD and CIS, with financial support from the European Union and coordination by ENoP under the WYDE Political Parties Project.

Strengthening Women’s Political Leadership
2025-07-22 08:30 - 2025-07-23 17:00 (Africa/Nairobi) | Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
Female leaders in Kenya’s KANU party gather for an intensive training on leadership, advocacy, and inclusion.
🗓️ Date: 22-23 July 2025
📍 Location: Nairobi, Kenya
🔗 Organisers: Kon-rad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Kenya

On July 22–23, 2025, women leaders from the Kenya African National Union (KANU) will participate in a two-day capacity-building workshop in Nairobi, organized by KAS Kenya under the WYDE Political Parties project.
The sessions focused on understanding internal party structures, exploring KANU’s legacy and future for women, value-based leadership, and strengthening peer support networks. Participants discussed real challenges facing women in politics — including sexism, exclusion, and harassment — and co-developed strategies for building safer, more inclusive spaces.
Interactive exercises, mentoring activities, and group reflections helped shape personal leadership roadmaps and fostered new alliances for collective action.
This initiative highlights WYDE’s ongoing efforts to boost women’s participation in party leadership and democratic processes.

Training of Trainers (ToT) on Youth and Women Inclusion in Democratic Processes
2025-08-03 08:30 - 2025-08-06 17:00 (Africa/Nairobi) | Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
🗓️ Date: 3-6 August 2025
📍 Location: Nairobi, Kenya
🔗 Organisers: Kenya Parliamentary Human Rights (KEPHRA)
Despite notable progress in Kenya’s democratic journey, youth and women remain significantly underrepresented in formal political spaces, including within political parties. Limited access to civic education, low awareness of internal party structures, and systemic exclusion have hindered meaningful engagement at all levels of governance.
As part of the European Union-funded WYDE Political Parties project, which seeks to empower young women and youth across Africa to take up leadership roles within political parties, the Kenya Parliamentary Human Rights (KEPHRA) aims to develop a national pool of trainers capable of cascading knowledge, skills, and democratic values at the local level.
The overall objective of the Training of Trainers (ToT) is to build the capacity of selected youth and women leaders from various counties to become civic educators and political trainers within their communities. Through this, the initiative seeks to foster grassroots-level understanding of party structures, internal democracy, and broader governance issues.
Specific Objectives

Equip participants with facilitation and training skills to lead local-level civic education sessions.
Deepen knowledge on five thematic areas key to inclusive democratic participation:

Youth Unemployment
Environment
Economy
Rule of Law
Social Justice and Equality

Strengthen understanding of democracy, leadership pathways, and political participation.
Promote peer-to-peer learning, mentorship, and sustainable civic engagement structures.

Expected Outcomes

A trained cohort of facilitators capable of conducting grassroots civic trainings.
Locally relevant action plans developed by each participant for cascading knowledge.
Strengthened community-level awareness and participation in democratic processes.
Increased visibility and legitimacy of youth and women as political actors.

The ToT will be delivered over two days through a participatory and experiential learning approach. Facilitators will use storytelling, case studies, simulations, group work, and community mapping to ensure content is accessible, engaging, and practical.
Participants will receive a detailed training manual and resource toolkit aligned with the five themes and adapted to local realities.
This activity is implemented under the WYDE Political Parties project, aligned with the EU’s strategic objective of strengthening democratic governance and gender equity across Africa. It contributes to broader efforts to foster inclusive political systems, decentralized civic education, and sustainable community leadership.

Amplifying Young Legislators: WYDE Capacity Building Workshop
2025-08-04 08:30 - 2025-08-05 17:00 (Africa/Nairobi) | Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
A two-day hands-on training to strengthen the parliamentary and policy-making skills of young MPs in Kenya.
🗓️ Date: 4-5 August 2025
📍 Location: Nairobi, Kenya
🔗 Organisers: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Kenya
As part of the ongoing Women and Youth in Democracy (WYDE) – Political Parties project funded by the European Commission, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Kenya Office, in collaboration with the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association (KYPA) and under the lead of the European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP), will host a two-day capacity building workshop for young Parliamentarians in Nairobi, Kenya.
The workshop is designed to contribute towards a set of dialogue and training measures with young legislators that are keen on enhancing the voices of young people within the two tiers of Parliament in Kenya.
A better understanding of roles and procedures and enhanced skills in policy work and communication will enable the participants to fulfil their roles as legislators and people’s representatives more effectively.
The workshop aims to primarily provide a platform where MPs, Senators, selected MCAs, and in general politically active young leaders can deepen their understanding of legislative processes, policy development, harness existing communication pathways, and engage in ideas that can deepen constituency engagement. Ultimately, amplifying the voice and visibility of youth in democratic governance and legislative decision-making remains our ultimate objective.

Day 1 Highlight – Understanding Parliamentary Systems and the Role of Young Leaders in Democratic Governance: Day one will focus on deepening participants’ understanding of Kenya’s bicameral parliamentary system, legislative procedures, and the evolving role of young people in shaping politics and public policy. In addition to young legislators, the day will bring together politically active youth leaders, i.e., party youth league officials, and youth advocateswho are making impact in at the national level.
Day 2 Highlight – Strategic Communication and Policy Advocacy for Young Legislators: The second day will build the capacity of young legislators and youth leaders to communicate among themselves, within the youth constituency and as well with the rest of Kenyans, while influencing political and policy conversations. The sessions will explore how young MPs, Senators, MCAs, and politically active youth can sharpen their public narratives, strengthen digital communication strategies, and connect more meaningfully with their constituents.

For more information, visit:
🔗 https://www.kas.de/en/web/kenia

Africa Women’s Forum 2025
2025-09-05 08:30 - 17:00 (Africa/Nairobi) | Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
From policy to action: Accelerating women leadership in Africa
🗓️ Date: 5 September 2025
📍 Location: Nairobi, Kenya
🔗 Organisers: The Oslo Center and the Kristdemokratiskt Internationellt Center (KIC)
The Africa Women Forum 2025 is a gathering in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing together women from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania to talk politics, share ideas, and build connections. Hosted by The Oslo Center and the Kristdemokratiskt Internationellt Center (KIC) under the WYDE Political Parties programme, the forum focuses on boosting women’s participation and leadership in politics.
It’s designed to be a shared space for women active in politics across learn from each other’s experiences and build lasting networks. Through strategic initiatives and multi-stakeholder collaboration, the forum will tackle the structural and cultural barriers that continue to limit women’s access to leadership and decision-making roles. By turning dialogue into action, the event aims to spark real change across East Africa.
Specific Objectives:

Identify and tackle key structural, institutional, and cultural challenges that restrict women’s effective engagement in political leadership.
Generate and share evidence-based knowledge and mentorship strategies to advance women’s political leadership within diverse African contexts.
Create strategies to facilitate ongoing dialogue and knowledge exchange through networking and strengthening commitments to gender equality.

Agenda:
A dynamic day of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive sessions focused on boosting women’s political leadership across Africa. Around 60 delegates are expected – 40 from Kenya and 10 each from Uganda and Tanzania – coming together to share ideas, build networks, and shape strategies for stronger political participation.
For more information and LIVE streamings, visit:
🔗 https://oslocenter.no/event/africawomensforum2025/

Youth Building Bridges
2025-09-10 08:30 - 2025-09-11 17:00 (Africa/Nairobi) | Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
Strengthening Inter-Party Cooperation for the Young Generation in Kenya
🗓️ Date: 10-11 September 2025
📍 Location: Nairobi, Kenya
🔗 Organisers: Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS)
Kenya’s young political leaders are coming together to chart a bold, collaborative future! On 10–11 September 2025, the WYDE Political Parties workshop will bring youth leaders, policymakers, and key political stakeholders to Nairobi for two days of powerful dialogue, strategic collaboration, and action planning.
Organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) under the WYDE Political Parties project, led by ENoP and supported by the European Commission, the workshop will explore how young people can bridge divides, counter polarization and radicalization, and build a culture of political cooperation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Anticipated Outcomes

High-Level Opening Session – with leading voices including party leaders, senators, the IEBC, ORPP, and civil society champions.
Panel Debates & Plenaries – Chairpersons of the Youth Congresses will discussion topics on tackling polarization, ethnic politicization, and youth engagement strategies.
Interactive Group Work – Participants will draft cross-party policy briefs, crisis response strategies, and frameworks for youth-led political cooperation.
IPYF Cross-Party Action Resolution Framework – This will be a collaborative outcome to guide cross parties’ political tolerance, inclusivity, and youth-driven reforms.

The workshop will also feature case studies of past dialogue sessions held within Kenya and outside the country, hands-on sessions in policy brief and statement drafting to amplify youth perspectives within political processes and by extension within Kenya’s political and electoral.
As Kenya approaches the 2027 elections, the role of youth in fostering political unity and shaping inclusive policies has never been more critical. This workshop sets the stage for a series of platforms that are meant to consolidate efforts aimed at developing actionable solutions, and strengthening democratic values, ensuring that young leaders are not just participants but key architects of the country’s political future.
For more information, visit:
🔗 https://www.kas.de/en/web/kenia

Regional Conference in Dakar, Senegal: Youth and Women Leaders
2025-09-26 08:30 - 2025-09-28 17:00 (Africa/Nairobi) | Dakar, Dakar
From 26–28 September 2025, Dakar will host the WYDE Political Parties Regional Conference of Youth and Women Leaders from Political Parties in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, organized by IGD and CIS under the WYDE Political Parties Project, led by ENoP and funded by the European Union.
This three-day gathering will focus on the theme: “Integrating Women into Political Parties in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire”. Participants will exchange experiences, identify challenges, and showcase good practices to strengthen the inclusion of women in political party structures and decision-making.
The conference will bring together 30 youth and women leaders from eight major political parties across Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, ensuring balanced representation and fostering dialogue on reforms, capacity-building, and inclusive political participation.
By creating a space for reflection and cross-country exchange, the event aims to empower women leaders as drivers of democratic transformation and more representative governance in West Africa.
📍 Date & Venue: 26–28 September 2025, Dakar👥 Organized by l’Institut pour la Gouvernance et le Développement (IGD) & The Centre Party International Foundation (CIS), with the support of ENoP and the European Union

Amplifying Women’s Voice in Parliament: Capacity Building for Female Legislators
2025-10-14 08:30 - 2025-10-17 17:00 (Africa/Nairobi) | Kenya, Kenya
A KAS–KEWOPA collaboration to strengthen women’s leadership, visibility, and influence in Kenya’s legislative processes
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), in collaboration with the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA), the County Assemblies Forum (CAF), and the Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Training (CPST), hosted a capacity-building workshop focused on enhancing the legislative effectiveness and leadership of women legislators in Kenya.
The five-day programme took place from 14 to 17 October 2025 in Nairobi, bringing together women Members of Parliament and County Assemblies from across the country for intensive training, dialogue, and peer learning.
Despite Kenya’s progressive constitutional and legal frameworks promoting gender equity, women continue to face barriers that limit their representation and influence in governance. This initiative sought to address those challenges by equipping women legislators with the skills, networks, and visibility needed to lead effectively, advocate for gender-responsive legislation, and serve as mentors for emerging women leaders.
Key components of the training included:

Leadership and legislative capacity workshops on policy drafting, party politics, and inclusive governance.
Peer-to-peer exchanges and mentorship sessions connecting seasoned and young women legislators.
Media and communication training to strengthen public visibility and strategic advocacy on gender equity.

By the end of the workshop, participants had strengthened their technical capacity, expanded their support networks, and renewed their commitment to promoting inclusive, representative, and gender-responsive political leadership in Kenya.
📍 Venue: Nairobi, Kenya📅 Dates: 14–17 October 2025👥 Organized by: KAS & KEWOPA, in partnership with CAF and CPST, within the framework of the WYDE Political Parties Project, funded by the European Union and coordinated by ENoP.

National Women League Convention on Strengthening Inner-Party Democracy
2025-10-27 08:30 - 2025-10-29 17:00 (Africa/Nairobi) | Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
Empowering women leaders in Kenya to advance inclusion, accountability, and reform within political parties
The Kenya Parliamentary Human Rights Association (KEPHRA), under the WYDE Political Parties Project, is organizing a two-day National Women League Convention bringing together 54 women leaders from 27 counties across Kenya. The event will focus on strengthening inner-party democracy and ensuring that party structures, nomination processes, and manifestos reflect gender equity and inclusivity.
Despite women and youth representing the majority of Kenya’s political landscape, they remain underrepresented in party leadership and elected offices. This convention seeks to change that by creating space for women to critically engage with core party documents and processes through a gender and youth lens.
Through participatory methods—including document reviews, plenary discussions, and action planning sessions—participants will assess party manifestos, nomination rules, and internal governance structures to identify gaps and develop reform proposals that promote fairness and representation.
By the end of the convention, women leaders will be equipped with concrete, evidence-based recommendations to advocate for inclusive party practices and to strengthen their influence within decision-making structures—paving the way for more democratic and representative political institutions ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
📍 Location: Nairobi, Kenya📅 Dates: 27-29 October, 2025👥 Organized by: KEPHRA, within the framework of the WYDE Political Parties Project, funded by the European Union and coordinated by ENoP.

Training of Women and Youth Leaders at Local Level for Inclusive Democratic Participation
2025-11-01 08:30 - 2026-01-31 17:00 (Africa/Nairobi) | Kenya, Kenya
Building political literacy and leadership skills among women and youth across Kenya’s 27 counties
The Kenya Parliamentary Human Rights Association (KEPHRA), under the WYDE Political Parties Project, is launching a nationwide training initiative designed to strengthen democratic participation among women and youth leaders at the grassroots level.
Over the next three months, county-level trainings will be conducted across 27 counties, engaging 540 participants—20 women and youth leaders per county. These sessions will be facilitated by county-level Trainers of Trainers (ToTs) who co-developed a standardized political training manual during earlier stages of the WYDE Political Parties Project.
The program aims to equip participants with the political literacy, leadership skills, and confidence necessary to engage meaningfully in governance and decision-making processes, while preparing them to contest in the upcoming 2027 General Elections.
Training modules will cover key themes such as political party functions, equality and social justice, the rule of law, economic development, and youth and women’s employment. Through these sessions, participants will build networks, exchange experiences, and strengthen their capacity to influence local governance and policy.
By establishing a vibrant, informed grassroots network of women and youth leaders across Kenya, this initiative reinforces the broader WYDE Political Parties goal: creating more inclusive, representative, and participatory democratic systems.
📍 Coverage: 27 counties across Kenya📅 Timeline: Starting 1st November 2025 Three months (one training per month per county)👥 Organized by: Kenya Parliamentary Human Rights Association (KEPHRA), within the framework of the WYDE Political Parties Project, funded by the European Union and coordinated by ENoP.

Youth Building Bridges: Youth Congress Workshop
2025-11-05 08:30 - 2025-11-06 17:00 (Africa/Nairobi) | Kenya, Kenya
Building the capacity of young political leaders for effective party and legislative participation
From 5 to 6 November 2025, Nairobi will host the Youth Congress Workshop, organized by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) as part of the WYDE Political Parties Project, led by ENoP and funded by the European Union.
Under the theme “Building the Capacity of Young Leaders for Effective Party and Legislative Participation,” the two-day workshop will bring together young members and representatives of the Kenya African National Union (KANU) for an intensive, hands-on training designed to strengthen youth leadership and participation in political and legislative processes.
The workshop will combine expert presentations, interactive sessions, and mentorship circles addressing key topics such as:

Understanding party structures and internal democracy.
Value-based and issue-driven policymaking.
Legislative and representative functions of Members of County Assemblies (MCAs).
Communication and negotiation skills for effective leadership.
Fundraising and resource mobilization for political and community initiatives.

Participants will engage in group work, policy development exercises, and mentorship dialogues with experienced political leaders, civil society advocates, and communications experts. The workshop will conclude with presentations of county-level action plans and a closing ceremony recognizing participants’ commitment to advancing youth-led democratic leadership.
📍 Venue: Nairobi, Kenya📅 Dates: 5–6 November 2025👥 Organized by: KAS Kenya in collaboration with KANU, within the framework of the WYDE Political Parties Project, funded by the European Union and coordinated by ENoP.

Regional Conference in Dakar: Political Alliances and Democratic Governance in West Africa
2025-11-24 08:30 - 2025-11-28 17:00 (Africa/Nairobi) | Dakar, Dakar
Dakar, Senegal – 24–28 November 2025
From 24 to 28 November 2025, the Regional Conference on Political Alliances and Democratic Governance in West Africa will take place at the Onomo Hotel in Dakar. The event, organised under the WYDE Political Parties Project and co-implemented by the Center Party International Foundation (CIS) and the Institute for Governance and Development (IGD), will bring together political party representatives from Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire for a week of dialogue, exchange, and peer learning.
Understanding the Dynamics of Political Alliances
In contemporary political systems—whether democratic, semi-authoritarian, or in transition—political alliances play a central role in structuring power, strengthening representativeness, and shaping governance. In West Africa, where political competition often takes place in complex socio-political contexts, alliances between parties have become essential instruments to build coalitions, ensure stability, and broaden democratic participation.
The conference will explore the formation, sustainability, and strategic management of political alliances, analysing both their opportunities and their challenges. It aims to deepen understanding of how ideological differences, leadership ambitions, and electoral contexts influence these processes, while promoting constructive dialogue between parties that share democratic aspirations.
A Space for Exchange and Learning
Over five days, participants from major political parties in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire will engage in interactive panels, group work, and simulation exercises designed to enhance their analytical and negotiation skills. The agenda includes discussions on:

The genesis and durability of political alliances;
Inclusion of women and youth in alliance-building processes;
Managing ideological and personal differences within coalitions; and
The role of alliances in consolidating democratic governance.

A simulation on coalition negotiation will allow participants to apply lessons learned in a practical and collaborative setting.
A Regional Platform for Collaboration
This conference represents a milestone for regional cooperation under the WYDE Political Parties Project, offering an opportunity to strengthen relationships between parties across borders and promote inclusive political dialogue in West Africa. The initiative highlights the importance of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and peer learning as key elements for building more accountable and participatory political systems.
The event will also include cultural visits and networking sessions, fostering informal exchanges among participants from diverse ideological backgrounds.

📍 Venue: Dakar, Senegal📅 Dates: 24-28 November 2025👥 Organized by: Implemented by the Institute for Governance and Development (IGD) in partnership with the Center Party International Foundation (CIS), powered by the European Union through the European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP), within the framework of the WYDE – Women and Youth in Democratic Engagement Programme.
