ABOUT US
European Dialogue and Democracy Association (EDDA) is a non-partisan, non-governmental organisation working to increase young people’s knowledge of and interest in democracy, elections and civil society, primarily in Eastern Europe, by using election monitoring as a tool.
READ EDDA’s STATUES HERE (NO)
Org. Nr. 917 649 618,
Ogmunds vei 9,
0488 Oslo, Norway
EDDA’s HISTORY
EDDA was founded by students in Bergen August 12th, 2016. The organisation’s first election observation mission was deployed to Georgia. In the following decade since, EDDA has deployed election observation missions to Albania, Norway, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Poland, North Macedonia and Kosovo.
During the past two years, EDDA has seen a great increase in both membership and activity. Local branches were established in Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim in 2024.
Additionally, 2025 will be the first year in EDDA’s history where we are set to deploy three election observation missions within the same calendar year – to Kosovo, Norway and Moldova.
EDDA’s PURPOSE
Our purpose can be described by our three main pillars –
- Democracy: EDDA recognises elections as a fundamental aspect of democracy. We aim to increase young people’s knowledge, interest and participation in democratic processes, through international election monitoring and local events.
- Election Observation: EDDA’s main tool for democracy promotion is election monitoring. Through such work, EDDA contributes to international efforts of encouraging free and fair elections, as well as making election observation accessible to young people on a voluntary basis.
- Education: EDDA gives its participants a unique opportunity to take part in practical, real-world democracy education. Through election-day monitoring, meetings with local, national and international actors and organisations, and cultural exchange, participants gain valuable and outstanding insights and experiences with democracy, elections and civil society, customarily in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus.
CONTACT
Please do not hesitate contacting us with any questions or inquiries you might have.
NATIONAL BOARD
(OFFICE)
ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSIONS
(EOM)
LOCAL BRANCHES
EOM REPORTS
For each election observation mission deployed by EDDA, a final report synthesising our election day findings is published.
All election reports published by EDDA since 2016 are available below. Final reports are also shared with collaborators and contributors, and in EDDAs own social media platforms.
EDDA EOM-METHODOLOGY
A
EDDA seeks to measure and promote international standards for free and fair elections.
All EDDA observers are trained through the OSCE/ODIHR comprehensive e-learning course for election observers, and internal courses on EDDA practices, and electoral customs in deployment countries.
B
Election observation missions are deployed some days before election day with the intent to orient our election observers about the political context in which the elections are held.
EDDA’s delegations meet with a range of local, national and international organisations and actors to discuss the country context.
C
On election day, EDDA’s observers monitor the opening procedures, general voting and closing and counting procedures in pairs, normally accompanied by a local interpreter.
Observers actively report their findings back to the mission’s coordinators throughout election day, who synthesise the general findings in the final report, published after the election.
EDDA NATIONAL BOARD
– SINCE 02.2026 –
The national board of EDDA is the organisation’s highest authority between the annual meetings. It works to create for a vibrant and active organisation which can successfully promote EDDA’s work and purpose. The current national board was elected at EDDA’s annual meeting on the 2nd of March 2026, and will serve until the first quarter of 2027.
Elisa Parnefält Størksen
President
Elisa (b. 2000) is from Bergen. She has a bachelor’s degree in Comparative Politics and a master’s degree in Politics and Governance of Global Challenges at the University of Bergen. Her thesis was on the EU’s influence on election quality in the Western Balkans, with a focus on election observation and political conditionality.
Nora Didriksen
Vice President
Nora (b. 1996) is from Bodø. She is a master’s student in political science at the University of Oslo. She also works part-time as a journalist for Altinget.
Isabel Ivarsøy
Finance
Isabel (b. 1998) is from Bergen. She has a bachelor’s degree in literature and international studies, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Public International Law at the University of Oslo.
Ingjerd Erika Eid Skjerven
Board member
Ingjerd (b. 2001), from Sundvollen, holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and is completing a second bachelor’s degree in Russian studies, including an exchange semester in Almaty, Kazakhstan. She has experience working with democracy-focused initiatives in several Norwegian organizations and has also interned in Washington, D.C.
Stella Fosheim Eide
Board member
Stella (b. 1999) is from Bergen and holds bachelor’s degree in European studies and comparative politics from the University of Bergen. She is currently an intern at the Norwegian Directorate of Elections in Tønsberg.
Hedda Bjørnskau
Board member
Hedda (b. 2002) is from Bærum and holds a bachelor’s degree and has completed postgraduate studies in Comparative Politics at the University of Bergen. She is currently an intern at Norway’s Delegation to the EU and has previously interned at Bergen Global. She worked as an election administrator at the City Council’s office during the 2025 parliamentary election and has served as an election observer with EDDA on several occasions
Trym Reinsnes Lind
Board member
Trym (b. 2000) is from Bærum and is a master’s student in Economics and Environmental Governance at NMBU. He has lived and worked in Southampton and Brussels, and served as an educator at the Rafto Foundation for Human Rights in Bergen
Sarah Aasen
Board member
Sarah (b. 2001) is from Bergen. She holds a bachelor’s degree in comparative politics from the University of Bergen, and has previously studied intercultural relations. She is currently an intern at West Norway Office in Brussels and also has experience as a lay judge and with human rights.
Tyra Gimse Fjellanger Hellesø
Board member
Tyra (b.1999) is from Nesodden. She is completing a bachelor’s degree in political science and a one-year programme in Eastern European Studies at the University of Oslo, including an exchange semester in Vilnius, Lithuania. She is currently an intern at the Norwegian Helsinki Committee in Oslo.
Vilde Sylta Kvamme
Substitute member
Vilde (b. 2002) is pursuing a master’s degree in political science at the University of Oslo, currently undertaking an exchange semester in France (spring 2026). Her academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science as well as a one-year programme in Eastern European Studies.