PARTNERS & FUNDERS
At the Initiative for Research, Innovation, and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD), we collaborate with development partners committed to strengthening democracy, governance, and social justice in Nigeria.
Over the past six years, foundations, development agencies, civil society organizations, and philanthropic institutions have supported IRIAD’s work across Electoral Governance, Gender Rights and Justice, Governance and Accountability, Digital Rights and Governance, Urban Development and Governance, Environment and Sustainable Development, and Legislative and Policy Advocacy.
These partnerships address challenges such as weak electoral integrity, limited civic participation, gender inequality, and gaps in accountability by funding research, capacity building, civic education, advocacy, and policy engagement platforms.
Through these collaborations, IRIAD has trained thousands of young Nigerians on democracy and elections, produced evidence-based research and policy outputs, strengthened women’s political participation, and expanded citizen engagement in governance.
Together, these partnerships have enabled IRIAD to generate knowledge, influence policy, empower citizens, and strengthen more transparent, accountable, and inclusive democratic systems in Nigeria.
Key Funding Partners
The MacArthur Foundation is a global philanthropic organization focused on advancing democratic governance, human rights, and inclusive development. Between 2020 and 2024, it funded the Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD) to implement programmes in Nigeria aimed at strengthening electoral accountability and civic participation. The supported initiatives included Strengthening Electoral Accountability in Nigeria and Engaging Citizens in Open Legislative Process.
Through a research, advocacy, and capacity-building grant, IRIAD delivered electoral knowledge resources, policy research, and civic education training. The partnership trained over 2,000 students on democracy and electoral integrity, reached vulnerable communities with civic education messaging, and produced policy briefs, technical papers, and advocacy materials that strengthened public discourse and democratic reform in Nigeria.
The Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) is a philanthropic organization committed to promoting democratic governance, human rights, and accountable institutions across West Africa.
Between 2020 and 2023, OSIWA funded the Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD) to implement the Virtual Training on Democracy and the Electoral Process and Enhancing Electoral Knowledge and Integrity in Nigeria projects. The initiatives were designed to address gaps in electoral knowledge, youth participation, and evidence-based electoral reform in Nigeria.
Through a structured capacity-building and research approach, IRIAD delivered virtual civic education training for young Nigerians, researched Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs), and established the Electoral Forum to strengthen policy dialogue on electoral reform.
The project trained over 300 young people and produced key knowledge products, including policy briefs and advocacy materials. It strengthened civic awareness, improved understanding of democratic processes, and supported evidence-based electoral reforms that continue to enhance democratic governance in Nigeria.
Other Funding Partners
Through funding provided by Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase II (EU-SDGN II) programme, the Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD) implemented the Electoral Volunteer Information Centres (EVICs) project to enhance citizen participation in Nigeria’s 2023 General Elections.
The project addressed critical gaps in voter awareness and access to electoral information, as many eligible voters faced challenges confirming their registration status, locating polling units, collecting Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), understanding the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and navigating electoral procedures. To bridge these gaps and promote inclusive democratic participation, IRIAD established EVICs across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kano State, and Lagos State, bringing electoral information and voter support services directly to communities, with particular attention to women, young people, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and other underserved groups.
Working in close partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and community stakeholders, the project surpassed its initial target by reaching approximately 100,000 citizens. The initiative significantly improved voter awareness, expanded access to electoral information and services, and strengthened inclusive participation in Nigeria’s democratic process.
The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) is a Nigerian civil society organization focused on democratic governance, leadership development, and citizen participation in public decision-making. Between 2020 and 2023, Centre LSD funded the Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD) to implement the Engaging Citizens in Open Legislative Process project in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria.
The project was designed to address low youth awareness and participation in legislative processes by strengthening civic education and promoting transparency in lawmaking through the Open National Assembly (Open NASS) Initiative. Using a capacity-building approach, IRIAD delivered structured trainings and engagement platforms that equipped young people with knowledge of how laws are made and how to hold legislators accountable.
The initiative trained over 2,000 students, increasing awareness of legislative transparency and civic responsibility, and strengthening youth participation in democratic governance in Nigeria.
Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), also known as the Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative, is a civil society organization focused on strengthening rule of law, security sector governance, and inclusive democratic participation in Nigeria.
Between 2020 and 2023, PWAN funded the Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD) to implement the Women Political Representation Research Project (WPRRP) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria. The project was designed to address the persistent underrepresentation of women in political leadership by generating evidence-based insights to inform advocacy and policy reforms.
Using a research and capacity-building approach, IRIAD conducted qualitative fieldwork across all six Area Councils of the FCT, including electorate surveys and key informant interviews with political gatekeepers, religious leaders, female politicians, development partners, and civil society actors.
The project produced actionable evidence that continues to shape advocacy and policy dialogue on gender inclusion, strengthening strategies for women’s political participation and contributing to more inclusive governance outcomes in Nigeria.
Supported programmes focused on civic education, governance reform, human rights, youth engagement, democratic accountability, and public policy advocacy.
Supported electoral reform, democracy promotion, research and knowledge production, civic engagement, election monitoring, and evidence-based advocacy initiatives aimed at strengthening democratic institutions in Nigeria.
Areas of Support
Collectively, these partners have supported IRIAD’s work in the following areas:
- Democratic governance and accountability
- Electoral reform and electoral integrity
- Civic education and citizen engagement
- Youth participation and leadership development
- Gender equality and women’s political participation
- Human rights and social justice advocacy
- Research, policy analysis, and knowledge production
- Evidence-based advocacy and public policy engagement
- Institutional strengthening and capacity development
- Transparency, inclusion, and democratic participation
Their support has enabled IRIAD to expand its impact, generate credible research, empower citizens, strengthen democratic institutions, and contribute to a more inclusive and accountable society.
Collaborative Partners
At the Initiative for Research, Innovation, and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD), we work closely with strategic collaborative partners to strengthen democratic governance, transparency, accountability, gender inclusion, and citizen participation in Nigeria. These partnerships enable joint action on electoral reform, open governance, civic education, public accountability, and policy advocacy.
BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights is a leading Nigerian organization dedicated to promoting women’s rights, gender equality, and social justice. IRIAD initially partnered with BAOBAB on advocacy and strategy engagements for the Special Seats Bill for Women, aimed at increasing women’s representation in political and legislative institutions.
Building on this collaboration, both organizations have now formalized their relationship as consortium partners, working together through joint research, advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and public awareness campaigns. This strengthened partnership continues to advance legal and policy reforms that promote gender equality, inclusive governance, and greater political participation for women.
The Open Government Partnership (OGP) Nigeria is a multi-stakeholder platform that brings together government and civil society to advance transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance. As an active OGP collaborative partner, IRIAD works alongside key organizations to promote open government reforms through policy advocacy, public sensitization campaigns, awareness walks, citizen engagement, and accountability initiatives that strengthen transparency and improve responsive governance in Nigeria.
IRIAD’s OGP collaborative partners include:
- Centre for Transparency and Advocacy (CTA)
- Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC)
- Socio-Economic Research and Development Centre (SERDEC)
- BudgIT
- Nigeria Youth Future Fund
Through these partnerships and collaborations, IRIAD contributes to strengthening public participation, enhancing government transparency, promoting more accountable governance systems, advancing inclusive governance, supporting gender-responsive institutions, and deepening citizen engagement in democratic processes across Nigeria.