experiences from others) or at the sub-regional level, bringing together actors of the electoral process of different member states. 5.2.1 Search for solutions to the cost of elections The last concern discussed in this section is the one related to the control of the costs of elections in West African countries. The challenges of escalating costs of elections for countries with limited resources have already been discussed in the second part of this document. Undoubtedly, the search for solutions to this problem has necessarily a national dimension, but it has a regional and even international dimension as well. ECOWAS can help member countries in reducing the costs of elections in three ways: support can come in the form of training activities, in reciprocal efforts in terms of electoral inputs, and in direct assistance. The support to member states in the form of training activities can take two forms. Just as the suggestions mentioned above for the training activities, support in this area could be in form of sessions of experience­sharing between actors involved in the drafting, execution and control of the election budget. It can further be in the form of training activities on the same subject but bringing together national actors and experts mastering the subject matter. As far as reciprocation of electoral inputs at the community level is concerned, it can also take various forms depending on the nature of the input. It may consist in the setting up of a stock of electoral input at the ECOWAS level which will be made available to every member of the community at the same rhythm as elections take place. Based on the nature of the input, it can also be made of smaller stocks available in many countries and easy to spread within a smaller geographic radius. The input can for instance include ballot boxes, polling booth, 232