NEEDS

The Network of Europeans for Electoral and Democracy Support (NEEDS) brings together some of the leading European organisations and individuals involved in the field of democratisation and election observation.

The aim of NEEDS is to increase the capacity of both the European Union and civil society organisations to conduct credible and effective election observation missions.

NEEDS draws upon leading expertise from around the world to deliver:

• Training Seminars for Long Term Election
• Observers and Core Team members
• Meetings for EU Member State Focal
• Points, Oct. -05, Sept. -06, Sept -07
• Development of Observation Materials and Tools
• Domestic Election Observer Forums
• Global Observer Forum
• Technical Assistance to Domestic Observers

The NEEDS project ended on 31 October. A new round of project funding will be launched in 2008. For further details see the EuropeAid website.

• Declaration of Principles on Election Observation

Revised versions of the EU Electon Observation Handbook and the Compendium of International Standards for Elections will be published shortly. Reporting materials (guidelines, templates and examples) for use on all EU election observation missions, and for use and adaptation by other orbserver groups, will also be avaiable soon. The Handbook and the Compendium and the reporting materials have been produced by NEEDS together with and mandated by the EC. MORE::

New observation materials:
Election Observation Handbook (pdf, 1.6Mb)
Compendium of International Standards for Elections (pdf, 870kb)
Reporting guidelines and templates