Below are examples of networks fulfilling the six, non-exclusive functions of networks:

1. Filter function - The Development Executive Group
   
2. Amplifying function - The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance
   
3. Investing/providing function - Consorcio de Investigación Económica y Social (CIES), Perú
   
4. Convening function - Coalition 2000, Bulgaria anti corruption network
   
5. Community building function - CIVICUS
6. Facilitating function - MediCam

Filter functions

Example: The Development Executive Group

The Development Executive Group is a global membership organisation serving firms, non-profit organisations, and individual professionals working in the 100 billion euro international development market. It provides them with useful information on the international development industry facilitating intra-network communications and access to resources such as expert consultants and contracts.

Functions: Filter (from outside to the inside), community building (among development workers) and facilitator (facilitates access to other members and resources), provides (acts as a broker between donors/clients and members).
Key structure: Strong management hub that filters information from the outside to make it relevant and useful to its members.
Special characteristics: It stresses communications between partner members. Its main objective is to help its members to be profitable so it is geared towards offering members access to funds and other operational resources.

Website: www.developmentex.com/

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Amplifying functions

Example: The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance

The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance works through an education approach to tackle the issues of global trade and HIV/AIDS. At present, more than 85 churches and church-related organisations have joined the Alliance and bring a constituency to this common work of advocacy of more than 100 million people worldwide.

Functions: Amplifying (the messages of HIV/AIDS, conflict and trade through churches), facilitating (coordination of actions among members).
Key structure: A small coordinating secretariat in Switzerland and a global committee. Other members are loosely attached.
Special characteristics: A faith-based membership and use of institutional infrastructure of the Church provide the network with additional organisational strength. It's governance agreement does not then need to address too many non-executive issues.

Website: www.e-alliance.ch/

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Investing/providing functions

Example: Consorcio de Investigación Económica y Social (CIES), Perú

The objective of CIES (IDRC funded) is to strengthen the Peruvian academic community to produce and disseminate knowledge useful to policy analysts and policymakers in the public sector, civil society and academia. It does so by providing research grants to researchers as well as a platform to engage in debate and capacity building.

Functions: Investor/provider (channels funds from IDRC-CIDA and other donors), amplifier (but not advocate, only via traditional means), community building (of the research community in Peru).
Key structure: Members include 30 institutions among universities and research centres. The steering committee is made up of representatives of members, public sector, civil society, and donors.
Special characteristics: CIES is seen as a source of funding and a space for publication of academic work. It is not a means to reach policy makers. E.g. members work independently to influence policies and do not necessarily go through CIES. They organise activities such as seminars and capacity building activities; they also link the members to other networks. The network is not equally organised. Universities and centres from Lima have more representation than those from the country side.

Website: www.consorcio.org/index.asp

Example: African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), Zimbabwe

The ACBF, based in Harare, is an independent, capacity-building institution. Membership includes three sponsoring agencies (AfDB, UNDP and the World Bank), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which joined the Foundation in 2002, and 32 African countries and non-African countries and institutions.

Functions: Investor/provider (capacity building and funding), facilitation (networking), amplifier (via publications and events), filter (of information in support of ACBF researchers).
Key structure: A steering committee/secretariat that carries out the activities of the foundations.
Special characteristics: It covers 2 regional organisations and 26 national focal points in 37 countries in Africa. It offers research grants as well as capacity building grants. It offers members networking activities as well as specialised workshops. It also finances workshops carried out by workshops.

Website: www.acbf-pact.org/

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Convening functions

Example: Coalition 2000, Bulgaria anti corruption network

Coalition 2000 is an initiative of a number of Bulgarian non-governmental organisations aimed at combating corruption through a process of cooperation among governmental institutions, NGOs and individuals. It works at the agenda setting level drafting an Anti-Corruption Action Plan for Bulgaria, as well as implementing an awareness campaign and a monitoring system.

More information is available on Coalition 2000 as a case study of a network influencing policy

Functions: Convenor (brings together various sectors and addresses their concerns), filter (information on corruption for easy access by all users), amplifier (of its work, findings of research and media), community building (help establish coalitions).
Key structure: A network of partners from civil society, government and the private sector. It is a partnership. It includes a Policy Forum to determine the Coalition's work and is made up of representatives of all relevant institutions (NGOs, institutions of the state, international organisations); a Steering Committee that provides direction and overseas the process; and a Secretariat that provides the management.
Special characteristics: The network provides consensus and coalition building; collects information, disseminates (mostly to inform and shame) and influences policy through direct and indirect action.

Website: www.anticorruption.bg/eng/coalition/about.htm

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Community building functions

Example: CIVICUS

CIVICUS is an international alliance established to promote the foundation, growth and protection of citizen action throughout the world. CIVICUS currently has more than 650 members in 110 countries. It's membership is diverse, including networks and organisational sectors; policy and research, grant-making, youth, women, and the environment.

Functions: Community builder (through unifying events, service provision and newsletter/publications), filter (Civil Society Watch Index), investor/provider (governance capacity for CSOs), convenor (to a degree).
Key structure: A hub in the developing world and regional offices in the developed world.
Special characteristics: CIVICUS headquarters and operational hub is located in Johannesburg, South Africa. It also has offices in Washington, DC and in London. Members include NGOs, civil society organisations, grant making institutions, business entities committed with social issues, or any individual interested in civil society issues. It provides a platform for action research useful to its members.

Website: www.civicus.org/new/default.asp

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Facilitating functions

Example: MediCam, Cambodia

MediCam is a network of NGOs active in Cambodia's health sector. It seeks to link all health sector stakeholders by representing the voice of its NGO members, facilitating policy, advocacy, building capacity of MediCam's members and health partners, and sharing relevant quality information.

Functions: Facilitator (of policy influence, although it is not clear that what they do is link research and policy), community builder (of health related NGOs in Cambodia), investor/provider (broker capacity building of MediCam members), amplifier/filter (via internal communications).
Key structure: A hub and many members but managed mostly via the internet and virtual communications. Full members are only local institutions.
Special characteristics: 3 types of membership: full membership for local NGOs, associate membership for international actors, observer membership for individuals interested in health issues in Cambodia. Observers have no voting rights. A minimum participation is demanded for members to keep membership. They lack sufficient links with regional and international networks doing similar work.

Website: www.medicam-cambodia.org/

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