Thematic Clusters

The role and purpose of ECHN’s Thematic Clusters

The main purpose of the TCs is to connect like minded and complementary members even stronger and more directly, and facilitate common actions, projects, advocacy initiatives, peer exchanges and other interactions that will benefit all of the members involved. It is also a vehicle to expand the activities and advocacy efforts on particular topics of interest, or sub-sectors within the CCSI and the related ecosystems.

ECHN is here a catalyst for new connections and initiatives to emerge, with the idea to advance the operations and programs of individual members, their specific areas of activity, but also the entire network, and the ecosystem at large.

The TCs are set up, supported and operated with the framework of ECHN. They are made up of ECHN full time members, and as such remain part of the operating structure of ECHN.

Taking part in a Thematic Cluster allows members to:

• Connect more directly to their most relevant peers;
• Explore the specific fields of activity in a deeper way;
• Share experiences that truly matter for the hubs involved;
• Have prompt access to solutions or support with pressing matters;
• Initiate new projects, relevant to the specific field, with other fellow members;
• Advocate for initiatives within the ECHN, and externally - together with ECHN;
• Increase the relevance and visibility of the sub-sector in question;
• Nurture an imminent and intensified sense of belonging to a wider community.

The TCs bring to life relevant initiatives, spark project ideas, develop thematic content for ECHN events or advocacy activities, and much more. TCs are considered to be one of the main community building and nurturing tools within the ECHN. They also intensify the year-long engagement of the members, and increase the overall value proposition of the network towards its members, as well as the external stakeholders.

Membership and engagement

The members of the Thematic Chapters are expected to be engaged and proactive in the activities of the TC. They are expected to attend at least 2 meetings within a year. In case they would like to leave the TC, they just need to notify the TC Facilitator.

It is understood that all TC members are contributing in good faith, in a proactive way, and that the time invested into the work of the TC is for the advancement of the specific sub-sector, and with the idea of utilizing the platform that ECHN is for increasing the benefits for the involved hubs.

Structure & leadership of a Thematic Cluster

There is not a fixed formal structure within the Thematic Cluster. All participating members are equal in the decision making process, and are free to self-organize, based on the usual democratic decision-making processes, as long as they act in a transparent way and keep the TC Facilitator involved in all relevant matters.

The Thematic Cluster Facilitator is the one taking on the responsibility for the operations and regular meetings, as well as reporting towards the DOO and ECHN at large.

Alongside the Facilitator from the ECHN team, one of the members will act as the Thematic Cluster Lead. This person will drive the discussions and initiatives within the Thematic Cluster in a constructive direction, and in line with the needs of the sector in question.

The ECHN Community Manager will also be present at all of the meetings and support the facilitation and “shadow” the process, in order to be aware of all of the processes and initiatives emerging across different chapters.

Activities & expected outcomes

The Thematic Clusters are set up in good faith and with the intention to further advance the impact of the ECHN in specific areas of interest. Thus, there are no extensive mandatory activities, outside of:

• An active peer communication channel moderated by the TC Facilitator;
• Minimum one meeting per quarter;
• Program proposals and contributions for ECHN annual events;
• Annual physical meeting during annual Hubs Meetup/Conference;
• Annual report from the Coordinator to the Board of Directors.

However, it is expected that many worthwhile initiatives will emerge from the regular meetings, and they may influence the tempo and scope of the activities of the TC.

The activities of the ECHN thematic Thematic Clusters are expected to contribute to:

• Continual engagement of members and peer-level communication;
• Deeper insights into members’ activities and initiatives;
• Inception of collaborative projects between members;
• Faster problems-solving capacity for all participating members;
• Increasing leverage in dealing with specific sectors;
• Informing ECHN’s advocacy activities and priorities;
• Easier matchmaking of members with good opportunities.

How to initiate and set up a Thematic Cluster within the ECHN

A Thematic Cluster needs to be initiated by a minimum of 5 (five) hubs who have held an introductory meeting (self-initiated), and made a decision to initiate the formation of a TC. All of the participating hubs within a TC need to be regular members of the ECHN.

The Board of Directors needs to approve the formation of the TC for it to be officially set up and operational. This will depend on a few formal criteria, the relevance of the proposed sub-sector covered by the TC, and the alignment and potential of the TC within the broader strategic roadmap and the network’s scope of activities.

Another way of setting up a TC is for the ECHN’s BOD to initiate it, in line with the overall development strategy of the network.