2026 Global Programmes Autumn Internship, Sweden Context

2026 Global Programmes Autumn Internship, Sweden IDEA - International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance Stockholm Both national and international Internship level Speaks Arabic, English, French, Spanish Application deadline: April 01, 2026 Closed Apply Summary by Impactpool The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) is offering a full-time internship opportunity in Stockholm for students interested in political science, sustainable development, or related fields. Interns will work within one of three teams focusing on Political Participation and Representation, Electoral Processes, or Digitalization and Democracy. Responsibilities include supporting research, analyzing policy documents, assisting in event organization, and developing communication materials. This internship aims to provide valuable insights and experience in democracy assistance and related areas. Candidate Requirements: Recently graduated or currently studying political science or related field Fluency in written and spoken English Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Ability to work in a diverse team environment Good knowledge of Microsoft Office suite Previous experience in democracy or elections is an asset 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 three teams: 1) Political Participation and Representation; 2) Electoral Processes; and 3) Digitalization and Democracy all sitting in Stockholm Office. Political Participation and Representation The Political Participation and Representation team encompasses work on Money in Politics, Parliamentary Strengthening, Citizen Engagement, and Climate Change and Democracy, with a commitment to strengthen effective democratic institutions, including political parties and parliaments, as well as promoting innovative approaches to citizens' engagement. The intern will work on the team’s ongoing projects with research and analysis to support knowledge production and advisory services, with a particular focus on Climate Change and Democracy. 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. 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 to be 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 contributing 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 governance, 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 po