Democracy survives when the Opposition can both win an election and accept a loss
An election is contestable when the side that loses it can win the next one. While that holds, no result is existential: power changes hands, and can change back. Between elections, the opposition is how a government stays accountable. At the next one, it is how the contest stays open.
Opposition International measures the strength of the opposition and teaches parties to build it. OI does not help any party win. It works so that any party can.
What We Do
Research
We publish research and analysis on how opposition parties perform and how they can strengthen state accountability.
Outreach
We are starting national offices in key countries. Our first project is in Bangladesh.
Diaspora Outreach
We are starting with Canada through CanVoteAbroad.ca: non-partisan, non-profit, and fully respecting voters’ privacy. The first goal of the planned national Overseas Electoral Councils is to research better ways to ensure ballots survive the journey back to the home country and are counted.
Sharing Lessons
We connect opposition movements across borders, share lessons with international institutions, and publish analysis that makes the case for opposition support as a core democracy investment.
Partner With Us
Democratic backsliding rarely begins with a coup. It begins when opposition parties are too weak to hold governments accountable. Opposition International works with foundations, bilateral donors, and private philanthropists to change that.
Research Sponsorship — Co-fund research and analysis on opposition performance in new countries.
Country Programs — Direct funding for opposition capacity-building in specific countries.
National Offices — Help establish Opposition International offices in key countries, starting with Bangladesh.