“Democracy must deliver for the many, not just the few.”

As part of our Member Spotlight series, we spoke with Nike Dahlskog, Secretary General of Left International Forum, about solidarity, political participation and why democracy must go beyond institutions.

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A foundation built on solidarity and political inclusion

Left International Forum is the party-affiliated non-governmental organization of the Swedish Left Party. Since 1995, the organisation has worked with left-leaning political parties, social movements and independent trade unions in contexts where democratic space is under pressure.

“We work especially with marginalised women and youth, supporting their active role in political decision-making. A resilient democracy requires fair distribution of resources and protection of labour rights.”

As Secretary General, Nike’s role is to ensure that values such as feminism, ecological sustainability and equality translate into concrete projects, while maintaining transparency and accountability in international cooperation.

Connecting democracy with economic and social justice

Left International Forum’s approach stands out for its focus on the link between democracy and socio-economic justice.

“Democracy cannot be resilient if economic inequalities remain unaddressed. We don’t only support the right to vote, but the right to be heard — and the power to influence political and economic structures.”

By working with political parties, trade unions and grassroots movements, the foundation seeks to strengthen pluralism and build more inclusive societies.

A generational shift in political leadership

One of the most significant changes the organisation highlights is the increasing political leadership of young people within organisations that we collaborate with.

“We are seeing more young people step into formal positions of responsibility. This has encouraged older generations to make room for new voices, strengthening inclusion within political structures.”

Operating under pressure: shrinking civic space

Like many democracy actors, the organisation faces growing restrictions on civic space.

“We are seeing shrinking democratic space, where restrictive legislation and harassment limit the work of those defending pluralism. This forces us to invest more in risk management — but also to innovate in how we support local actors.”

Solidarity as a method, not just a principle

Rather than imposing solutions, Left International Forum works through long-term solidarity.

“We don’t dictate agendas. We trust the analysis of local partners and stand with them — especially when they face political pressure.”

This approach reflects a belief that democratic struggles, labour rights, gender equality and climate justice are interconnected.

Democracy is people, not just institutions

“Supporting democracy means shifting power from the few to the many. It means strengthening the political participation of marginalised women and youth, ensuring strong and transparent political organisations, and defending space for social movements. Political parties are essential democratic infrastructure. Development cooperation often prioritises broad civil society support, but without strong, inclusive and transparent political parties, there are limited pathways to translate people’s demands into public policy. Supporting political organisations is not about exporting a particular party line — it is about ensuring a pluralistic arena where different visions for society can compete, engage in dialogue and be negotiated peacefully.”

For the organisation, democracy is not just institutional — it must be lived, participatory and equitable.

Why being part of ENoP matters

“Being part of ENoP strengthens our collective voice for democracy. Despite different political traditions, we share a commitment to pluralism and democratic resilience.”

The network provides a platform for collaboration, shared learning and stronger advocacy for enabling democratic environments globally.

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About Nike Dahlskog

Nike Dahlskog has served as Secretary General of Left International Forum for seven years, leading strategic development and international solidarity work. With a background as Political Secretary for the Swedish Left Party and experience in civil society governance, she brings strong expertise in political advocacy and organisational leadership.