About the ICDT
The ICDT is a non-profit organization based in Budapest, Hungary which collects the experiences of recent democratic transitions and shares them with those who are determined to follow that same path. Instead of promoting democracy in general, the ICDT sets more concrete and pragmatic goals. The Centre strives to show how dozens of young democracies have made, and are making, the transition, so that those who set off on this difficult journey from dictatorship to democracy in the future may learn from the successes as well as from the failures.

Operational Method
The ICDT:
- Facilitates the process of democratic transition by using the knowledge pool of transitional experiences and by sharing experiences and best practices;
- Convenes the most important indigenous stakeholders to play key roles in the transition process;
- Provides an adaptable toolbox and appropriate models for the creation and consolidation of democratic institutions;
- Mediates between cultures and regions by generating dialogue.

Program Areas
Interregional Cooperation
Promoting interregional cooperation between governments and civil societies of neighboring countries to enable democratic transition

Toolbox for Democracy
Providing assistance and learning opportunities to new and fragile democracies, concentrating on particular and practical elements of democracy such as elections and freedom of speech

Sustainable Democracy
Strengthening the involvement of marginalized groups such as minorities, women and other unprotected social groups in both the transition process and the functioning of democracy

Research & Analysis
Understanding and explaining the complex process of democratic transitions in order to forecast future trends and give recommendations for projects in the Centre’s three program areas.