European Network for CIGS

Coordination Group Meeting – March 2025

On March 20, 2025, members of the European Network for Citizen Initiatives in Global Solidarity (CIGS) gathered online for their latest coordination meeting. Participants included representatives from CISU, 11.11.11, Wilde Ganzen, Fingo, Partnership Foundation, EUcanAid, Collective Leadership Institute, and Radboud University.

Key highlights:

  • Preparations are underway for a third European CIGS conference, most likely in Brussels, tentatively planned for late 2027 or early 2028.
  • Research from the first conference is being updated to reflect current developments in the field.
  • A pre-conference online symposium is being proposed for 2026, aligning with the UN Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development.

Working group updates:

  • Research Group: Exploring shifts in citizen engagement. Plans are underway for a webinar organized by Wilde Ganzen and Radboud University.
  • Capacity Building Group: Reported a new Erasmus+ proposal (submitted March 2025) and ongoing development of a CERV project focused on youth engagement.
  • Funding Group: Scheduled a meeting on May 15 to discuss local fundraising strategies.

New potential members from Hungary, Germany, and France were identified during the recent GearUP! DEAR project meeting in Sarajevo. This prompted discussion on how to better involve local authorities that support citizen initiatives in global solidarity.

The capacity building working group focuses on training activities that are organised by the members to strengthen the capacities of CIGS.

The funding working group exchanges practices on processes and procedures for funding of CIGS and their development activities in the global South.

The research working group unveils valuable insights in the CIGS communities and their relevance for sustainable development and in mobilising the public to engage in international solidarity.

The coordination group undertakes action in European matters of relevance for CIGS or for the members of the network. This is the management and the organisations of the network as a whole.