National Endowment for Democracy

New AI tools are unleashing the potential of democracy activists around the world. This week, 10 incredible activists joined top open-source software developers at NED to compete in the AI Hack for Freedom III, developing custom digital tools to address the most pressing challenges facing democracy and human rights defenders today. Votes are in from our judges, and we’re pleased to announce our winners: 1st: Rwanda's Carine Kanimba for Behind the Jersey, a platform that reveals authoritarian funding of sports teams 2nd: Turkey’s Kadir Yağız Çetin, for Ustad, an offline learning platform so Afghan girls can access educational materials without the internet 3rd: Tibetan-Canadian activist Chemi Lhamo for Nima, an application capturing streaming video footage to capture evidence of abuse even when an activist’s phone is destroyed Thanks to Human Rights Foundation (HRF), University of Maryland School of Public Policy, and the AI Freedom Lab for partnering to make this event possible. Join us in congratulating our winners and read more about the event here: https://lnkd.in/efpR8bjC

National Endowment for Democracy Vice President of Policy and Government Relations Eddy Acevedo will testify before United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues Subcommittee hearing titled “Nicaragua’s Political Crisis: Ortega’s Assault on Democracy” on Wednesday, September 30th.  Don’t miss the livestream: https://lnkd.in/e_gj9Wh5 

“Whether it’s economic development, global health, humanitarian assistance, or food security, for any of these things to succeed and be sustainable, democracy needs to be there—and strong institutions need to be there.” Yesterday, NED VP for Policy & Government Relations Eddy Acevedo joined Devex for “Making the Case for Development in a Changing America,” held during #UNGA. Watch highlights from the discussion below. #DevexUNGA81 

NED welcomes the bipartisan resolution introduced by Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Senator Roger Wicker recognizing the U.S. national interest in supporting Russian democracy advocates. The resolution acknowledges NED’s Second Washington Dialogue with The U.S. Russia Foundation for Economic Advancement and the Rule of Law (USRF) and Free Russia Foundation, and honors the courage of Russian civil society and independent media working for a free, democratic Russia. https://lnkd.in/eVtymy_U 

On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, NED Core Institute International Republican Institute is hosting the President of #Argentina Javier Milei. Strong democratic institutions and fundamental freedoms are essential to prosperity, security and resilience across the Western Hemisphere.

Brave activists in Belarus are bringing the stories of their country’s political prisoners to the world, in defiance of a regime that seeks to silence them.   For decades, Ales Bialiatski has documented rights abuses and provided critical aid to detainees and their families.   Learn more about our 2026 Democracy Service Medal honoree. 

Cuban activists have risked their own freedom to inspire their fellow citizens to find their voice and demand change.    Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Maykel Castillo Pérez used their art to do it, while Félix Navarro spent decades organizing for democratic reform. All three were imprisoned for their efforts.    Learn more about our 2026 Democracy Award honorees for Freedom of Speech.

Civic leaders, human rights defenders, journalists, technologists, and policy experts gathered in Washington D.C. for the Second Washington Dialogue. For two days, they discussed changing conditions within Russia, efforts to find resourceful ways around censorship, and strategies to bring about a democratic future for Russia. The Dialogue was held in partnership with Free Russia Foundation and The U.S. Russia Foundation for Economic Advancement and the Rule of Law (USRF). Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eTwXevus

How do you protest a regime that's willing to deploy violence on a massive scale to crush peaceful demonstrations?     Nan Lin and his fellow community organizers found a way to keep Burma's pro-democracy movement alive by moving it underground. Learn more about our 2026 Democracy Award honoree for Freedom of Assembly. 

The most important stories are often the most dangerous to tell. The journalists of Ethiopia’s Addis Standard have overcome death threats, newsroom raids, and more to tell the world the truth about issues with life-or-death consequences, from the war in Tigray and mass displacement to the costs of corruption.   Learn more about our 2026 Democracy Award honoree for Freedom of the Press.