The Institute for the Development of Democracy is an independent and transdisciplinary research institute based in Stockholm, Sweden and founded in 2024. We conduct research on democracy in a broad sense, focusing on topics such as civil society, mobilization, popular education, and social movements from both contemporary and historical perspectives.

We also want  to contribute to the democratisation of research through co-creation and development of knowledge together with civil society. We do that for instance by inviting experts without doctoral degrees as co-creators in research processes. There are many individuals who can contribute with their knowledge and experiences but who, in traditional research, are at most interviewed. The methods we use include participatory research and action research.

In addition to research, we also work to make research findings accessible to a wider public and to promote collaboration between academia and civil society.

In our work, we are guided by the principle of equal worth of all human beings, and we aim to contribute to a society where everyone has genuine opportunities for democratic participation. We believe in the power of curiosity, creativity, and knowledge. At the Institute for the Development of Democracy, we welcome collaborations and partnerships. We strive to create an inspiring and inclusive research environment that enables more voices to be heard.