Building Democracy Foundation (501(С)(3))

BDF is a registered 501(c)(3) NGO dedicated to supporting underdeveloped communities by promoting democracy and the rule of law, defending human and civil rights, and combating prejudice and discrimination. Our goal is to help these communities experience the full benefits of democracy.

BDF’s mission

BDF’s mission is to advance democracy in authoritarian societies and emerging democracies.

We achieve this through educational, scientific, and community-building initiatives aimed at strengthening democratic institutions, countering authoritarianism, and fostering democratic resilience. Because democracy cannot thrive without the rule of law, ensuring its enforcement is a key focus of BDF’s work. This includes defending human and civil rights, pursuing strategic litigation, combating prejudice and discrimination, and undertaking similar efforts.

Managing Director

Connecting Continents Through Legal Expertise and Cultural Insight

Igor Slabykh

Managing Director

Igor Slabykh

As a lawyer who practiced law in Russia and now resides in the U.S., Mr. Slabykh understands the significance of adhering to the rule of law and democratic principles. Without democracy, a society not only hinders its own development but also poses a risk to other nations, as Russia currently exemplifies.

Mr. Slabykh practiced law in Russia for over 15 years before moving to the U.S. in 2016, where he earned an LL.M. degree from The George Washington University Law School. With knowledge of both the Russian and American legal systems, Mr. Slabykh strives to make these systems more accessible to his readers, explaining the Russian legal system to Americans and the American legal system to Russians.

Publications

Mr. Slabykh is the author of numerous legal and general articles in both Russian and English, in which he explores various aspects of the American and Russian legal and judicial systems. Some of his articles include:

“How Russian Courts Create Their Own Reality”

for Institute of Modern Russia

“How Russian Authorities Use Selective Law Enforcement”

for Institute of Modern Russia

“How Russian Officials Use Legal Tools against Journalists.”

for Institute of Modern Russia

“Big Tech Stands Trial: How Antitrust Lawsuits Against Tech Giants May Play Out.”

for Forbes.ru

“Inventors and innovations in the era of AI”

for the World Bank Blog

“The Kremlin Is Redistributing Property in the Loyalists’ Interest”

for Wilson Center/Kennan Institute

“Russia Attacks Lawyers, the Last Independent Institution”

for Wilson Center/Kennan Institute

“Lustrating Judges Is the Key to Post-Putin Transitional Justice”

for Wilson Center/Kennan Institute

“Foreign-Owned Businesses in Russia Face Shifting Legal Sands”

for Wilson Center/Kennan Institute

Contacts