Modern Direct Democracy - The Win-Win Challenge

IRI Europe´s mission is to promote representative democracy by strengthening modern direct democracy. By fine-tuning the power-sharing between the governors and the governed through the establishment and development of well-designed initiative and referendum procedures and practices, modern democracies become more responsive and truly representative - offering a win-win situation for most societies across Europe and the globe.

IRI Europe, founded in 2001, is the first and premier think-tank to research and educate on all aspects of participative and direct democracy by mapping existing procedures and practices, networking transnationally with all relevant actors and by mainstreaming key elements of a fully-developed modern direct democracy.

IRI Europe is an independent, non-partisan and non-profit making organization with headquarters in Marburg/Germany and representation offices in Brussels/Belgium and Bülach/Switzerland. Since the early days of this millennium IRI has assisted and advised the European Union constitution drafters in seizing the opportunity of developing democratic tools which are both issue-based and pan-European. With the new European Citizens' Initiative about to be implemented, IRI has become a key adviser and monitor of the first transnational DD-instrument!

The institute has developed a series of research activities linked to the IRI Research Center at Marburg University, including projects on comparative research, local direct democratic practices and transnational prospects across Europe. IRI has also launched an Educational programme including print and digital Guides and Handbooks, Study Trips and Country Programmes.