Additional Context: 925 out of 950 USAID awards in the DRGP sector were eliminated as a result of U.S. foreign aid cuts. DRGP programming is vital to U.S. policy because it strengthens democratic institutions, civil society, and independent media in fragile states, helping to counter authoritarian influence from actors like China and Russia. It also promotes global stability, protects human rights, and upholds the democratic norms that underpin U.S. diplomatic credibility and strategic interests.

This information was included in a November 2025 report, "When Aid Fades: Impacts and Pathways for the Global Democracy Ecosystem." Information for this report was gathered from quantitative data on U.S. foreign assistance cuts; quantitative and qualitative data from two surveys that focus on democracy, rights, and governance; key informant interviews; and a desk review. The full report can be found here. 

Source: Global Democracy Coalition, International IDEA, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)