Value proposition, network structure, and action plan

Nets4Dem intends to work through a Network of Networks approach to deliver and support the growth of a sustainable Network for Democracy for the long term that is impactful, agile and purpose driven and connects existing networks and organisations together in complementary relationships.

The network of networks approach fosters shared learning, facilitate complementary relationships and synergies, and joint support towards a higher degree of integration and collaboration. This approach ensures that we build on what works and amplify the impact of existing democratic innovation to better address the crises we face today, and that a new generation of democratic innovations can thrive to address the new possible challenges of tomorrow.

The Nets4Dem network will be structured into three complementary parts. In Diagram 1. you will find a visual representation of the network structure and how it will grow over time. Following you will find a description of the three layers of the network:

The Consortium represents the founding members and driving force behind Nets4Dem. It is composed of the current consortium partners who have come together with a shared vision to catalyse democratic renewal across Europe.

Over the initial three-year period from 2023-2026, the Consortium will lay the groundwork for Nets4Dem's development and growth. Their primary objectives during this incubation phase are:
1. Establish the foundational structure of the network by recruiting a diverse array of key stakeholders to join as members across the Collaborative and Community spaces.
2. Design and implement a governance framework that enshrines Nets4Dem's core values and principles of inclusive, participatory decision-making.
3. Spearhead a range of networking activities, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and pilot projects that tangibly demonstrate the value proposition Nets4Dem offers its members.
4. Secure network sustainability through long-term business planning and fundraising.

By the end of 2026, the Consortium will have successfully planted the seeds for an engaged European community united around the cause of democratic innovation and civic participation.

As Nets4Dem takes root and membership grows, the Consortium's leadership role will gradually evolve. It will transition into more of a secretariat or steering committee function, transferring substantive decision-making powers to the Collaborative space.

This will allow the Collaborative's members, composed of major organisations and networks in the democracy arena, to self-govern and directly steer Nets4Dem's strategic direction going forward.

The Collaborative forms the core membership base of Nets4Dem - a carefully curated alliance of major European organisations, key policy makers and their institutions, networks, and initiatives working across sectors like deliberative democracy, civic education, community organising, and more. Membership criteria ensures only groups with established authority, extensive reach, and the ability to credibly represent key stakeholder voices are included. This creates a powerful, multidisciplinary coalition with the collective expertise and on-the-ground experience to drive meaningful democratic change across the continent.

Beyond just convening members, the Collaborative is designed as an intentional space to facilitate connection, learning, strategic collaboration and coordinated action. Its structure optimises knowledge sharing, empowering groups to gain insights from each other's work, explore synergies, and pursue innovative partnerships that amplify individual impact. As it matures, the Collaborative will evolve rapidly - assuming governance responsibilities, developing programs/services, spearheading advocacy campaigns, and implementing sustainable revenue models. With its diversity of perspectives bound together, it will transform disparate efforts into a cohesive European movement striving for more participatory, inclusive and resilient democracies.

Extending beyond its core membership bases (the Collaborative), Nets4Dem will cultivate a broad Community space that serves as an open gateway to the wider democratic ecosystem across Europe and globally. This outer ring will comprise a diverse array of smaller organisations, independent practitioners, civil servants, academics and other individuals united by a shared interest in advancing democratic participation.

Membership in the Community will be open and accessible, allowing Nets4Dem to incorporate fresh perspectives and insights from those most deeply embedded in local contexts. While these members may not be actively engaged in the network's governance and decision-making processes, they will act as vital connectors to the myriad democratic initiatives taking place at the grassroots level.

The primary role of the Community space is to facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building among this extended network of contributors. Members will gain access to the collective wisdom, best practices and innovative approaches curated by Nets4Dem's core membership bases. In turn, their frontline experiences will help inform the network's efforts and direction.

Click here to see the diagram: https://nets4dem.k8s.osp.cat/rails/active_storage/blobs/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBbG9mIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--6e35b3b57c2bf569985d92d15ad61e524bc9423e/current-state_2.png

The Consortium is - currently - the only active element of the Nets4Dem Network. The Consortium is composed of the Nets4Dem Project partners.
The role of the Consortium is multifold, including designing and establishing a governance framework and long-term stewardship / steering approach; However, the most urgent demand for the Consortium is to set up and grow Nets4Dem. This will be done through strategic and targeted recruitment as well as open calls for membership.

Click here to see the diagram: https://nets4dem.k8s.osp.cat/rails/active_storage/blobs/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBbHNmIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--0a8fa0e016a9c5899291672aa50b3278523573be/securing-a-shared-future_2.png

Moving forward, we will need to have a series of governance structure documents in place: Statutes, Membership Charter, and Governance Principles of the consortium. These will provide guidance and shared understanding of our future through the end of the project and beyond. Original, sharable versions of these documents - which will be shaped collectively - are in the process of being finalised. A first and complete version of these documents will be shared to the consortium members by 30th of April. In a collaborative writing and feedbacking phase, mediated through the Nets4Dem Decidim platform, for three weeks in May 2024, a final and confirmed version will be published in a publicly presentable state by the 1st of June, 2024. With this in place, the official and public launch will be possible starting from that date.

Click here to see the diagram: https://nets4dem.k8s.osp.cat/rails/active_storage/blobs/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBbDhmIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--dd4f1f3f3692fa0d909fa32e6e2eea5639ff87c0/2027-and-beyond.png

The first strategic and targeted recruitment will begin 26th March 2024, during the first Policy Retreat, organised by TEPSA-Egmont. This will mark the start of establishing the initial members of the Collaborative.
Nets4Dem will actively seek to identify the organisations whose knowledge, networks and reach render them the most able to bring the gravity and the scale of resources necessary for Nets4Dem to fulfil its role. In short, we will pursue the​ existing, major, networked European organisations in the field of democracy and civic participation to become members of the Nets4Dem Network.

Click here to see the diagram: https://nets4dem.k8s.osp.cat/rails/active_storage/blobs/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBbDRmIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--e6a169d4c8a66ab38fa924c1fac8f7068a5bfe5d/june,%202024.png

The second strategic and targeted recruitment will become a priority in June, 2024 in an effort to invite and establish the initial members of the Community.

Click here to see the diagram: https://nets4dem.k8s.osp.cat/rails/active_storage/blobs/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBbDhmIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--dd4f1f3f3692fa0d909fa32e6e2eea5639ff87c0/2027-and-beyond.png

With the end of the Nets4Dem Project period, the network is established in all its parts. The three network spaces provided within Nets4Dem are:
1. The Consortium: Stewards/Secretariat of Nets4Dem Network;
2. The Collaborative: Network of interconnected Networks fostering strategic partnerships and optimised knowledge exchange across the Nets4Dem Network; and
3. The Community: Beneficiaries of the activities organised by the Consortium and Collaborative, who are connected, learning, sharing, and enhancing the effectiveness of their research, practice and policy making approaches.