The Democracy Development Program (DDP) was initiated in 1993 as a partner project of the German Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS). DDP is a non-partisan, non-profit organisation that supports capacity building on governance and civil society levels to ensure meaningful participation in South Africa’s social transition.

We advocate for an active citizenry that can hold those in power to account, and a society in which our constitutionally enshrined Bill of Rights yields tangible benefits for all, especially those living on the margins.

We are passionate about the power of ordinary citizens to hold the government to account and to achieve their full potential whilst exploring possibilities through their gifts and talents in service of self, community and nation.

DDP contributes to the democratic development of SA by facilitating lived values of democracy in individuals, organisations and communities. These values then give rise to new norms and practices in DDP’s clients which support equality, power-sharing, active citizenship and social justice.