EURECS is ECES' copyrighted strategy for a practical execution approach to electoral support, implemented since 2010
Since its establishment in 2010, ECES has developed a distinctive European approach to supporting democratic governance, electoral and political processes. This approach, known as EURECS – A European Response to Electoral Cycle Support, is the strategic vision, implementation philosophy and operational architecture that guides every ECES programme and partnership.
Born from practical implementation in the field, EURECS was first formally codified in 2016, translating several years of operational experience into a coherent framework for electoral assistance. A decade later, following sixteen years of implementation across more than 150 programmes in over 70 countries, ECES published a second, significantly expanded edition of the strategy. Rather than replacing the original publication, the 2026 edition builds upon it, reflecting both the evolution of the international democratic landscape and the institutional growth of ECES.
An Evolving Framework
From the outset, EURECS was conceived as more than a methodology for supporting elections. It recognised that credible electoral processes require long-term engagement, national ownership, political neutrality and strong institutional partnerships. These founding principles remain at the heart of the Strategy today.
Over the years, however, the contexts in which democracy support is delivered have changed profoundly. Democratic backsliding, political polarisation, shrinking civic space, unconstitutional changes of government, armed conflict, disinformation, cybersecurity threats and the rapid development of artificial intelligence have transformed the challenges facing democratic institutions around the world. As a result, electoral support has evolved beyond a predominantly technical exercise to become increasingly connected with democratic governance, institutional resilience, political dialogue, mediation, peacebuilding and digital governance. The 2026 edition reflects this evolution while remaining firmly anchored in the principles established in 2016.
The Evolution of EURECS Strategy
Today, EURECS provides a comprehensive institutional framework through which ECES designs, implements and continuously improves its support to democratic governance. It combines European values and policies with national ownership, regional leadership, operational flexibility and evidence-based innovation, enabling ECES to adapt its interventions to diverse political and institutional contexts.
Grounded in sixteen years of practical implementation, the Strategy promotes an approach that is holistic, long-term, larger in scope, digitally and AI-aware, and inclusive. It recognises that democratic resilience depends not only on effective electoral management, but also on strong institutions, meaningful political participation, leadership development, information integrity and cooperation among national, regional and international actors.
Sixteen Years of Practical Experience
The evolution of EURECS is rooted in implementation rather than theory. Since 2010, ECES has implemented more than 150 programmes, worked in over 70 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, mobilised more than €155 million in programme funding, and reached over 800,000 people through training, coaching, leadership development, peer learning and institutional capacity building. Throughout this experience, the EURECS framework has been continuously tested, refined and strengthened to respond to changing democratic realities while maintaining its original vision.
Two Publications, One Vision
The EURECS publications should be read as complementary institutional references. The 2016 edition introduced and formalised the European Response to Electoral Cycle Support, setting out the principles that had guided ECES since its establishment. The 2026 edition expands that original framework into a comprehensive strategic doctrine for democratic governance, electoral and political processes, reflecting sixteen years of institutional learning, methodological innovation and operational experience. Together, the two publications document the evolution of ECES' approach to democracy support—from the formalisation of an innovative electoral assistance methodology to a broader institutional framework that continues to evolve alongside the challenges facing democracy worldwide.
Click on the figures below to access both EURECS publications, 2016 and 2026:
