2026 Global Programmes Spring Internship - Sweden

Context

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance – International IDEA – is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. International IDEA acts as a catalyst for democracy building by providing knowledge resources, policy proposals, and supporting democratic reforms in response to specific national requests. It works together with policymakers, governments, UN- organizations and agencies, and regional organizations engaged in the field of democracy building.

International IDEA’s notable areas of expertise are electoral processes, political participation and representation, constitution-building processes, democracy assessment and analysis. Two additional workstreams have been recently launched, climate change and democracy and digitalization and democracy. International IDEA works worldwide. It is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has offices in 18 countries.

We have five internship opportunities within the following teams: 1) Climate Change and Democracy; 2) Democracy Assessment; 3) Electoral Processes; and 4) Digitalization and Democracy all sitting in Stockholm Office.

Teams

1. Climate Change and Democracy

The Climate Change and Democracy workstream explores the multiple linkages between the climate crisis and democratic governance, in particular to support and develop strategies to minimize democracies’ structural weaknesses in dealing with the climate crisis, such as short-termism or the influence of vested interests; leverage democracies’ inherent assets, such as inclusive political participation and accountability; and foster democratic innovations to better address climate change. The internship focuses on supporting research and programme activities related to the ongoing activities and the development of the workstream.

2. Democracy Assessment

The Democracy Assessment Team produces several knowledge products: The Global State of Democracy (GSoD) Reports, the GSoD Indices, GSoD In Focus, and the Democracy Tracker. The team also generates communication products including blogs, op-eds, and data visualizations and has ongoing projects that focus on strategic foresight, imagining possible democratic futures, and developing regional partnerships. In addition, the DA team leverages the Perceptions of Democracy Survey (PODS) to gauge the experiences of democracy of the most marginalised sectors of society in countries around the world. This internship will include research and analysis work that is related to the development of some of these knowledge products and to the expansion of our global partnerships.

3. Electoral Processes

The work of the Electoral Processes is designed to make a global impact through the development of comparative knowledge resources, advisory services, advocacy efforts, and providing direct support to democracy and election practitioners. This internship will have a focus on supporting research and programme activities related to the themes of electoral risk management, resilience-building and crisis management, natural hazards and elections, the information environment around elections, and electoral capacity development. This internship will also entail working on joint projects with other electoral assistance organizations such as the United Nations.

4. Digitalization and Democracy

The Digitalization and Democracy team supports democratic institutions and stakeholders in placing democratic values and fundamental rights at the forefront when addressing the role of technology in society. Specifically, the work touches upon artificial intelligence (AI) and elections, foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), digital rights and governance, online civic spaces, and digital public infrastructure for democracy. The internship provides opportunities to develop an analytical understanding of how emerging technologies interact with democratic processes, including their impact on different stakeholders.

NOTE: You will have the opportunity to select the team for which you wish your application considered. If you do not select a team, your application will be considered for all teams outlined above.

Internship Activities

The intern will have the opportunity to be involved in the following duties:

• Supporting different research works conducted by the team;

• Analyzing policy documents and legal texts, to collect and review data;

• Assisting with research and fact-checking for International IDEA materials and background information;

• Assisting in the organization and the follow-up of conferences, events and activities, including assisting with reporting, note-taking and some logistical tasks;

• Providing desk research and contributes to the conceptualization of other new and ongoing projects within the teams;

• Developing outreach, media and communications materials;

• Actively incorporating a gender and inclusion perspective in all activities;

• Assisting with Ad-hoc projects and tasks.

Expected outcome/learning opportunities

The intern is expected to benefit from the position by gaining insights, experience, and knowledge in the following areas:

• Working processes of a multilateral, multicultural organization.

• Recent and new developments in the field of democracy assistance, democracy assessment and analysis, democracy and inclusion, climate change, electoral processes and political finance.

• The changing and innovative ways in which democracy, political actors and institutions are using technology and social media, in different parts of the world.

• Analysis of legal documents and policy frameworks related to democracy.

• Experience with using online databases, repositories and other digital tools for advocacy and awareness-raising issues related to elections or participation and representation or democracy monitor.

• Participation as a full-fledged team member in the regular team meetings, and any other institutional meetings, to be acquainted with the rest of the Institute and get an insight into organizational dynamics.

The intern will also have the opportunity to develop their analytical and research skills. The objective of the internship is to provide a learning opportunity for an interested and motivated student within a relevant study area. The intern will be part of a specific team, under Global Programmes, learning from all team members in their different capacities.

Management and Organization

Each intern will be supervised by a mentor from one of the above-mentioned teams. The interns will be working at International IDEA’s headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden.  

Timing and Work Plan

The internship position will be full-time from January/February 2026 until May/June 2026 or as agreed with the mentor and the university. The intern will work office hours, 09:00-17:00, or as agreed with respective mentors. The intern can work from the office and/or at home, or as agreed with the mentor.

Qualifications and required skills

• Recently graduated (within the last 1-2 years) or currently studying a course focusing on political science, sustainable development, international law, peace studies, environmental studies or a related subject. Postgraduate students (MA/MSc/PhD) are encouraged to apply;
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Proficiency in additional languages in International IDEA priority regions, such as Spanish, French, or Arabic, is an asset;
• Strong analytical, drafting, editorial and problem-solving skills are required;
• Ability to appreciate diversity and work as part of a team in such an environment;
• Ability to assess, manage and structure information;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Good knowledge of Microsoft Office suite;
• Knowledge of information management systems is an asset;
• Previous work or research experience within the field of democracy, elections, gender, political finance, is an asset.

Selection Process

• Candidates selected to proceed to the next stage of the process will be contacted once all applications have been carefully reviewed.
• Evaluation of shortlisted candidates will include an online interview and if needed, a short-written test/assessment.
• All candidates will be notified of the status of their application via email once the process has been finalized.
• Candidates from the Global South are encouraged to apply.

Terms of internship

• All internships at International IDEA are unpaid, and insurance cover in respect of travel, health, medical costs, disability, accident, and death is not provided by International IDEA. It would be your responsibility to make your own insurance arrangements to ensure such cover. 




Learn more about International IDEA.