Strengthening Institutions for Democracy
We work to protect the rules of the democratic game and ensure institutions that are more transparent, accountable, and open to social participation.
About the program
The program is grounded in the idea that Brazil’s democratic stability depends on institutions’ ability to respond to, prevent, and resist authoritarian pressures. The 2022 elections and the January 8, 2023 attacks exposed the rule of law’s continued vulnerability to disinformation campaigns, political radicalization, and institutional capture. At the same time, exceptional practices adopted in recent years within the Legislature have reduced transparency and weakened mechanisms for social participation and democratic oversight.
The program also responds to legislative proposals and political narratives seeking to weaken accountability mechanisms — including growing support for amnesty for those involved in attacks on institutions, and initiatives that expand political opacity and shielding. The organization sees democratic defense as requiring continuous vigilance over institutions’ everyday functioning and coordinated civil-society action to prevent setbacks.
The program’s core objective is to help Brazil’s branches of government operate more openly, in better balance, and more connected to society’s demands. It aims to strengthen citizen-participation mechanisms, defend due legislative process, promote structural reforms to improve democratic quality, and build an institutional culture based on accountability, memory, and democratic integrity.
Its work takes shape through initiatives like the Strong Democracy Agenda, developed collectively with civil-society organizations to propose reforms strengthening the rule of law, and the Open Chamber project, which develops technical recommendations to improve the Chamber of Deputies’ functioning by restoring predictability, transparency, and social participation in legislative processes. The program also monitors bills and institutional processes related to accountability for attacks on democracy, publicly opposing measures that would weaken republican checks and balances.
Beyond responding to immediate crises, the program seeks to build lasting mechanisms of democratic protection, working toward a political environment where authoritarian practices are permanently delegitimized and defending democracy is seen as a shared responsibility of institutions and society alike.
Strategic actions
Democracy depends on strong, legitimate institutions capable of responding to today’s challenges. Through this program, Pacto pela Democracia develops political advocacy, knowledge production, and coordination initiatives with public institutions and civil society actors to strengthen the democratic rule of law, increase trust in institutions, and promote reforms that improve the quality of Brazilian democracy.
Strong Democracy Agenda
Guidelines and proposals built collectively by the Pact’s network to strengthen democratic institutions and advance structural reforms protecting rights, citizen participation, and democratic governance.
Open Chamber
Proposals to improve the Chamber of Deputies’ legislative processes, increasing transparency, vote predictability, and social participation.
Institutional advocacy
Ongoing engagement with Congress, the Judiciary, the Executive, and other institutions to advance democracy, fundamental rights, and institutional strengthening.
Knowledge production and advocacy
Studies, technical notes, public statements, and recommendations to inform public debate and support decision-makers.
Strengthening and improving Brazil’s democratic institutions so that they are truly capable of representing, listening to, and responding to society’s real needs is essential to restoring public trust in democracy, protecting the democratic rule of law, and advancing the struggle for rights in Brazil.
FLÁVIA PELLEGRINO
Executive Director
Expected impact
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1
Increase public trust in Brazil's democratic institutions.
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2
Help pass reforms that strengthen the rule of law.
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3
Improve the quality of public debate on democracy, governance, and civic participation.
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4
Strengthen institutions’ capacity to respond to contemporary democratic challenges.