The core mission of IIDEA is to strengthen sustainable democratic change through supporting the AUC in the implementation of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance.
The basic approach of JAP is to strengthen capacity within the AUC to facilitate and assist the work of both governmental and civil society entities within AU member states. IDEA will, within the framework of the JAP agreement, provide both expertise and financial resources for research, planning and implementation of activities. The personnel provided under the JAP will be integrated into and work in close co-operation with the relevant departments of the AUC in order to ensure the most effective use of available resources from the AUC and AU member state entities as well as from IDEA.
IDEA will establish a Programme Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to foster effective implementation of JAP activities and support. This office will also be responsible for liaison with the AUC, donors and other external stakeholders on a regular basis. The Joint Activity Plan agreed by the AUC and IDEA was launched on September 12, 2008 in Addis Ababa.