IFES works to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) to mobilize citizens to participate in democratic politics in a constructive and effective manner. Its civil society programs encourage citizens to develop civic initiatives, advocate for change and demand governmental accountability. IFES also offers civic education to citizens and CSOs around the world to increase their knowledge of and ability to affect their political systems. IFES expertise and programming can be accessed through a variety of USAID global funding mechanisms. IFES has conducted successful programming with U.S. government funds, including those from the State Department and the Agency for International Development (Economic Support Funds (ESF), Development Assistance Funds (DA), Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), and others).
