New South Institute
Strengthening Delicate Democracies by Building Effective and Accountable Institutions
Latest Insights
Our Impact
NSI’s purpose is to provide evidence-based policy and applied research on complex problems of government in delicate democracies. We will judge our success on whether our insights and recommendations lead to actions by government to improve performance of state institutions and the other cornerstone institutions of democracy.
Our Projects
NSI provides evidence-based policy and applied research on complex problems of government in emergent democracies. NSI’s team has deep expertise in research, policy and advocacy. We currently run six research programmes. All adopt a common approach characterised by a focus on institutions and how to build them, research that brings theory and practise together, both in-country and comparatively, and an emphasis on working through partnerships with those who must implement the change. Our big data capability and analytics adds significant value to our research.
Our Aim
At the New South Institute (NSI), we do more than research and advise on policy—though we excel at both. We believe that passionate people can transform the world by strengthening democracies and building capable, accountable governments.
Our focus is on the New South—fragile democracies grappling with state capture, social fragmentation, and the legacies of civil conflict.
We’ll know we’re successful when:
• Corruption is dismantled and public institutions work for the people.
• Policy is shaped by evidence, not private interests.
• Communities thrive under transparent and responsive governance.
We are not just studying change—we are driving it.
Our focus is on the New South—fragile democracies grappling with state capture, social fragmentation, and the legacies of civil conflict. We’ll know we’re successful when:
• Corruption is dismantled and public institutions work for the people.
• Policy is shaped by evidence, not private interests.
• Communities thrive under transparent and responsive governance.
We are not just studying change—we are driving it.
Partners
Events
NSI is dedicated to winning important arguments in the public domain by organising and participating in a diversity of events: conferences, lectures, webinars and interviews, both face-to-face and online.