National Endowment for Democracy (NED)

Current understanding

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is a U.S.-funded pass-through grantmaker supporting democracy, human rights, and civil society programs worldwide. As of this snapshot, NED holds 88 active global grants totaling approximately $51.9M, funding press freedom, democratic governance, monitoring of China’s influence, and cross-border democratic solidarity platforms. Onward subgrantees are only partly traceable from top-line records; individual recipient trails should be documented as they surface.

Evidence log

• 2026-07-15 — NED · CENTRAL AMERICA REGIONAL — 35 grants, $18.3M: 2026-07-15 — [NED · CENTRAL AMERICA REGIONAL — 35 grants, $18.3M]: regional portfolio of 35 grants / $18.3M for democracy, oversight, independent media, and human-rights defenders — see NED · Central America Regional page. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · WEST BANK / GAZA — 22 grants, $2.5M: 2026-07-15 — [NED · WEST BANK / GAZA — 22 grants, $2.5M]: new West Bank/Gaza country program identified within NED’s MENA footprint — 22 grants / $2.5M for democracy, media, and civil society; see NED · West Bank / Gaza page. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · KOSOVO — 35 grants, $2.7M: 2026-07-15 — [NED · KOSOVO — 35 grants, $2.7M]: new Kosovo country program identified within NED’s Southeast Europe footprint — see NED · Kosovo page. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · ECUADOR — 12 grants, $2.9M: 2026-07-15 — [NED · ECUADOR — 12 grants, $2.9M]: new Ecuador country program identified within NED’s Latin America footprint — see NED · Ecuador page. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · NORTH KOREA — 7 grants, $3.0M: 2026-07-15 — [NED · NORTH KOREA — 7 grants, $3.0M]: NED North Korea country portfolio refreshed to 7 grants / $3.0M (down from 24 / $6.3M); grantee identities largely withheld for safety — see NED · North Korea page. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · XINJIANG / UYGHUR REGION — 10 grants, $3.0M: 2026-07-15 — [NED · XINJIANG / UYGHUR REGION — 10 grants, $3.0M]: Xinjiang/Uyghur portfolio refreshed to 10 grants / $3.0M (up from 6 / $2.2M), continuing NED’s dedicated atrocity-documentation and Uyghur human-rights track separate from the Mainland China program. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · SYRIA — 5 grants, $3.3M: 2026-07-15 — [NED · SYRIA — 5 grants, $3.3M]: new Syria country program identified within NED’s MENA footprint — 5 grants / $3.3M channeled through CIPE, IRI, and NDI; see NED · Syria page. (novelty: 3) (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · MAURITANIA — 32 grants, $3.4M: 2026-07-15 — NED · MAURITANIA — 32 grants, $3.4M: new Mauritania country program identified within NED’s Africa footprint — see NED · Mauritania page. (novelty: 3) (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · AFGHANISTAN — 12 grants, $3.4M: 2026-07-15 — NED · AFGHANISTAN — 12 grants, $3.4M: Afghanistan country portfolio identified within NED’s South/Central Asia footprint — grantees withheld for safety; see NED · Afghanistan page. (novelty: 3) (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · HONDURAS — 22 grants, $3.8M: 2026-07-15 — NED · HONDURAS — 22 grants / $3.8M: new Honduras country program identified within NED’s Latin America footprint — see NED · Honduras page. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · BANGLADESH — 16 grants, $3.9M: 2026-07-15 — NED · BANGLADESH — 16 grants, $3.9M: new Bangladesh country program identified within NED’s South Asia footprint — see NED · Bangladesh page. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · KAZAKHSTAN — 39 grants, $4.1M: 2026-07-15 — NED · KAZAKHSTAN — 39 grants / $4.1M: new Kazakhstan country program identified within NED’s Central Asia footprint — see NED · Kazakhstan page. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · CAMBODIA — 21 grants, $5.0M: 2026-07-15 — NED · CAMBODIA — 21 grants / $5.0M: Cambodia country portfolio focused on independent media, journalism, and activist capacity — see NED · Cambodia page. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · AZERBAIJAN — 31 grants, $5.2M: Azerbaijan country program totals 31 active grants / $5.2M focused on rule-of-law, anti-corruption, and human rights. (novelty: 4)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · EAST AFRICA REGIONAL — 7 grants, $5.7M: 2026-07-15 — [NED · EAST AFRICA REGIONAL — 7 grants, $5.7M]: East Africa regional portfolio identified — 7 grants / $5.7M on human-rights documentation, independent journalism, youth engagement, and constitutionalism — see NED · East Africa Regional page. (novelty: 3) (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · SOMALILAND — 9 grants, $6.7M: 2026-07-15 — [NED · SOMALILAND — 9 grants, $6.7M]: new Somaliland country program identified within NED’s Africa portfolio — see NED · Somaliland page. (novelty: 4)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · TE D’IVOIRE — 40 grants, $7.3M: 2026-07-15 — NED · CÔTE D’IVOIRE — 40 grants, $7.3M (citation removed): Côte d’Ivoire country portfolio supporting electoral reform, peaceful elections, youth political leadership, and investigative journalism — see NED · Côte d’Ivoire page. (novelty: 3) (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · BURMA — 59 grants, $7.9M: 2026-07-15 — NED · BURMA — 59 grants, $7.9M: NED Burma country portfolio refreshed to 59 grants / $7.9M (down from 66 / $9.6M) — see NED · Burma page. (novelty: 4) (novelty: 4)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · UKRAINE — 73 grants, $9.2M: 2026-07-15 — NED · UKRAINE — 73 grants, $9.2M: NED · UKRAINE refreshed to 73 grants / $9.2M (down from 83 / $12.5M) — contraction in one of NED’s largest country portfolios; see NED · Ukraine page. (novelty: 4) (novelty: 4)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · VENEZUELA — 50 grants, $9.3M: 2026-07-15 — NED · VENEZUELA refreshed to 50 grants / $9.3M (up from 43 / $7.7M) — continued growth of Venezuela country portfolio; see NED · Venezuela page. (novelty: 4) (novelty: 4)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · MAINLAND CHINA — 28 grants, $9.8M: NED · MAINLAND CHINA refreshed to 28 grants / $9.8M (up from 24 / $7.3M), reflecting continued expansion of the China country portfolio despite sensitive operating environment — see NED · Mainland China page. (novelty: 4)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · VIETNAM — 23 grants, $9.8M: 2025-07-15 — NED · VIETNAM — 23 grants, $9.8M (citation removed): Vietnam country portfolio supporting human-rights activists, independent journalism, and civil society — see NED · Vietnam page. (novelty: 3) (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · BOLIVIA — 57 grants, $9.9M: 2025-07-15 — NED · BOLIVIA — 57 grants, $9.9M (citation removed): Bolivia country portfolio supporting democracy, elections, independent media, and civic participation — see NED · Bolivia page. (novelty: 4) (novelty: 4)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · GULF REGIONAL — 28 grants, $11.0M: 2025-07-15 — NED · GULF REGIONAL — 28 grants, $11.0M (citation removed): Gulf Regional portfolio — 28 grants / $11.0M supporting Yemen governance, media freedom, and human-rights advocacy — see NED · Gulf Regional page. (novelty: 3) (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · CENTRAL ASIA REGIONAL — 21 grants, $11.6M: 2025-07-15 — NED · CENTRAL ASIA REGIONAL — 21 grants, $11.6M (citation removed): Central Asia regional portfolio identified — 21 grants / $11.6M on human rights, information access, civic engagement, and independent media — see NED · Central Asia Regional page. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · THE GAMBIA — 20 grants, $15.2M: 2025-07-15 — NED · THE GAMBIA — 20 grants, $15.2M (citation removed): Gambia country portfolio supporting women survivors of rights violations, constitutional reform, reconciliation/memorialization, and democracy assessment — see NED · The Gambia page. (novelty: 4) (novelty: 4)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · ALGERIA — 99 grants, $15.6M: Algeria country portfolio identified: 99 active grants totaling $15.6M covering human rights, transitional justice, civic engagement, and civil society. (novelty: 4)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · KYRGYZ REPUBLIC — 94 grants, $17.2M: 2025-07-15 — NED · KYRGYZ REPUBLIC — 94 grants, $17.2M (citation removed): Kyrgyz Republic country portfolio supporting independent journalism, democratic values, fundamental rights, and anti-corruption — sits at the top of NED’s country-program dollar rankings alongside Russia and Ukraine — see NED · Kyrgyz Republic page. (novelty: 4) (novelty: 4)
• 2026-07-15 — NED · GLOBAL — 54 grants, $44.5M: NED · GLOBAL — 54 grants, $44.5M: cross-cutting global portfolio supporting democracy, human-rights defenders, independent media, and anti-authoritarian-influence programs — the largest single slice of NED’s active grants by dollar value; see NED · Global page. (novelty: 4)
• 2026-03-26 — State · NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR DEMOCRACY — $315.0M (USA): State Department obligated $315.0M in core NED Act funding to NED for worldwide democracy projects — the top-of-funnel appropriation feeding the country and regional portfolios tracked on subpages. (novelty: 5)
• 2025-07-15 — NED · XINJIANG / UYGHUR REGION — 6 grants, $2.2M: 2025-07-15 — NED · XINJIANG/UYGHUR REGION — 6 grants, $2.2M: dedicated Xinjiang/Uyghur portfolio supporting human rights documentation, advocacy, and civic participation; grantee identities largely withheld for safety — see NED · Xinjiang/Uyghur Region page. (novelty: 3) (novelty: 3)
• 2025-07-15 — NED · NICARAGUA — 20 grants, $3.0M: 2025-07-15 — NED · NICARAGUA — 20 grants, $3.0M: Nicaragua country portfolio supporting civic engagement, pro-democracy networks, democratic transition, and independent media; grantee identities largely withheld for safety — see NED · Nicaragua page. (novelty: 3) (novelty: 3)
• 2025-07-15 — NED · MEXICO — 15 grants, $3.1M: 2025-07-15 — NED · MEXICO — 15 grants, $3.1M: Mexico country portfolio of 15 active grants totaling $3.1M supporting judicial independence, civil society networks, citizen participation, and government transparency — see NED · Mexico page. (novelty: 3) (novelty: 3)
• 2025-07-15 — NED · MOLDOVA — 20 grants, $3.4M: 2025-07-15 — NED · MOLDOVA — 20 grants, $3.4M: Moldova country portfolio supporting independent media, investigative journalism, and public-sector leadership programs — see NED · Moldova page. (novelty: 3) (novelty: 3)
• 2025-07-15 — NED · MENA REGIONAL — 26 grants, $5.5M: 2025-07-15 — NED · MENA REGIONAL — 26 grants, $5.5M: regional portfolio supporting women’s political empowerment, youth leadership, constitutional law, and democratic-transition programming — see NED · MENA Regional page. (novelty: 3)
• 2025-07-15 — NED · PAKISTAN — 26 grants, $5.6M: 2025-07-15 — NED · PAKISTAN — 26 grants, $5.6M: Pakistan country portfolio supporting democracy, civil society, labor rights, youth civic engagement, and local governance — see NED · Pakistan page. (novelty: 3) (novelty: 3)
• 2025-07-15 — NED · COLOMBIA — 41 grants, $6.2M: 2025-07-15 — NED · COLOMBIA — 41 grants, $6.2M: Colombia country portfolio of 41 active grants totaling $6.2M supporting anti-corruption, civic engagement, and multistakeholder advocacy — see NED · Colombia page. (novelty: 3) (novelty: 3)
• 2025-07-15 — NED · NORTH KOREA — 24 grants, $6.3M: 2025-07-15 — NED · NORTH KOREA — 24 grants, $6.3M: North Korea country portfolio supporting defector media, human rights leadership, and information access — see NED · North Korea page. (novelty: 3) (novelty: 3)
• 2025-07-15 — NED · EURASIA REGIONAL — 24 grants, $6.4M: 2025-07-15 — NED · EURASIA REGIONAL — 24 grants, $6.4M: regional portfolio supporting at-risk activists, independent Russian-language media, public policy debates, and European security advocacy — see NED · Eurasia Regional page. (novelty: 3)
• 2025-07-15 — NED · EGYPT — 56 grants, $6.6M: 2025-07-15 — NED · EGYPT — 56 grants, $6.6M: Egypt country portfolio supporting participatory democracy, workers’ rights, independent media, and local governance; most grantee identities withheld for safety — see NED · Egypt page. (novelty: 3)
• 2025-07-15 — NED · MAINLAND CHINA — 24 grants, $7.3M: 2025-07-15 — NED · MAINLAND CHINA — 24 grants, $7.3M: Mainland China country portfolio supporting civil society leaders, independent media, democratic and legal actors, and civil society resilience under a repressive environment — see NED · Mainland China page. (novelty: 3) (novelty: 3)
• 2025-07-15 — NED · VENEZUELA — 43 grants, $7.7M: 2025-07-15 — NED · VENEZUELA — 43 grants, $7.7M: Venezuela country portfolio: 43 active grants totaling $7.7M covering human rights, independent journalism, democratic mobilization, and counter-authoritarian-narrative work — see NED · Venezuela page. (novelty: 3) (novelty: 3)
• 2025-07-15 — NED · SOUTHEAST EUROPE REGIONAL — 27 grants, $8.2M: 2025-07-15 — NED · SOUTHEAST EUROPE REGIONAL — 27 grants, $8.2M: regional portfolio supporting media freedom, government transparency, interethnic dialogue, and institutional accountability across Southeast Europe — see NED · Southeast Europe Regional page. (novelty: 3) (novelty: 3)
• 2025-07-15 — NED · CARIBBEAN REGIONAL — 25 grants, $8.7M: 2025-07-15 — NED · CARIBBEAN REGIONAL — 25 grants, $8.7M: regional portfolio supporting human rights documentation, civil society, and countering Russian and Chinese influence across the Caribbean — see NED · Caribbean Regional page. (novelty: 3) (novelty: 3)
• 2025-07-15 — NED · ASIA REGIONAL — 18 grants, $9.1M: 2025-07-15 — NED · ASIA REGIONAL — 18 grants, $9.1M: regional portfolio supporting democracy promotion, civil society, and human-rights-defender networks across the Asia-Pacific — see NED · Asia Regional page. (novelty: 3) (novelty: 3)
• 2025-07-15 — NED · BURMA — 66 grants, $9.6M: Burma country portfolio: 66 active grants totaling $9.6M covering democracy, independent media, civic engagement, and accountability — see NED · Burma page. (novelty: 3)
• 2025-07-15 — NED · UKRAINE — 83 grants, $12.5M: Ukraine country portfolio: 83 active grants totaling $12.5M covering independent media, judicial accountability reporting, and civil society capacity-building — see NED · Ukraine page. (novelty: 3)
• 2025-07-15 — NED · RUSSIA — 94 grants, $14.9M: Russia country portfolio: 94 active grants totaling $14.9M covering political prisoners, freedom of information, civic leadership, and historical memory; most grantee identities withheld for safety — see NED · Russia page. (novelty: 3)

Open questions

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