About membership at Share-Net International and our network
Share-Net International (SNI) is a unique platform that promotes and facilitates synergies between individuals and organisations working in the field of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Our members combine knowledge, experience, and commitment, and include NGOs, universities, researchers, activists, practitioners, individual experts, students, and consultancy groups.
We foster a continued dialogue about SRHR between our members, where we analyse and synthesise state-of-the-art knowledge focusing on evidence-informed policies and practices – the core business of the Knowledge Platforms’ knowledge management and matchmaking process. At SNI we address sensitive and neglected topics, our members do not shy away from discussing these in the safe spaces that we offer.
We are organised in seven country hubs, Share-Net Bangladesh, Share-Net Burkina Faso, Share-Net Burundi, Share-Net Colombia, Share-Net Ethiopia, Share-Net Jordan, and the Share-Net Netherlands, which in turn consist of different communities of practice (CoPs). Each country hub is hosted by a local organisation, at SNI we are hosted by KIT Royal Tropical Institute.
You can get involved in the Knowledge Platform on SRHR, Share-Net International, by becoming a member of one of our hubs and thus enjoy specific member benefits. In Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Colombia, Ethiopia and Jordan this is free of charge. Applicant members organisations of Share-Net Netherlands pay a fee, based on their annual turnover. You can view the Share-Net Netherlands fee structure via this link. When becoming a member of one of our country hubs, you automatically become a member of Share-Net International.
If you are based in a location where we do not have a hub, you can become a member of Share-Net International’s global network free of charge (or for a small yearly membership fee based on annual turnover).
| Table of Contribution | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type of membership | Annual turnover (€) | Per member, per year (€) (excl. VAT) |
| Individual members | n.a. | 0 |
| Students | n.a. | 0 |
| Organisations | <100,000 | 0 |
| Organisations | >100,000 | 250 |
Our core values include transparency, diversity, collaboration, participation, integrity, safety, and using rights-based approaches.
What are the Benefits of Becoming a Share-Net Member?
Members gain access knowledge platform on SRHR as an individual or organisational member, or a sponsor. When joining Share-Net International, you will not only contribute to our mission and vision, but you will also be able to enjoy specific member benefits:
- Access all the SNI meetings that we organise for free (non-members can also apply to participate but may need to pay a fee)
- Participate in our international Communities of Practice.
- Access the members-only area on this Digital Platform, enabling you to access our global network of SRHR practitioners. Here, you can create a personal profile, connect with other members, submit relevant SRHR resources, events, and job adverts for publication on the platform, apply for our grants, and build your personal SRHR network.
- Participate in our annual Co-Creation Conference which is jointly organised with the country hubs. The last edition in 2022 was held hybridly in Colombia and online. The conference is an innovative, dynamic event organised as a working conference, where participants develop concrete and evidence-informed SRHR knowledge products that will be used for influencing policy and practice at the country level.
- Be elected into our governing body, the Board of Share-Net International
- All members are invited to our annual business meeting held each autumn.
- Be eligible to apply for our annual call for proposals for the Share-Net International Activation Grants facility.
Key Activities of Share-Net International and Hubs
- Organisation of roundtable meetings, thematic meetings, or other knowledge workshops on topics identified by members. Past thematic meetings have focused on key SRHR related topics, with keynote speakers representing The Guttmacher Institute, UNFPA, and the WHO.
- Sharing of successful interventions from our country hubs with other countries.
- Facilitation of Communities of Practice where SRHR topics are discussed in-depth, emerging topics are identified and continuous dialogues are fostered.
- Sharing of information via newsletters and mailings, as well as social media.
- Managing the small grants facility for research, documentation, and translation of knowledge.
- Tailor-made services on demand for our members, such as organising report launches, developing research and knowledge products, conducting literature reviews, or organising preparatory meetings for international events.
- Organising a bi-yearly co-creation conference in which participants develop evidence-informed knowledge products for influencing policy and practice.
Membership Charter
Members of Share-Net International are expected to adhere to the core values of Share-Net International as outlined in our Official Members
. The signed member/member organisation agrees to adhere to Share-Net International’s approaches of working together and the codes of conduct as stipulated in the above membership charter. Share-Net International reserves the right to cancel membership should the above commitments be violated.
Our Core Values
These core values apply to the way we work as a knowledge platform on SRHR, but also to the way we approach discussions:
- A rights-based approach: We believe in the power of people as rights-holders and encourage them to claim their rights. We also commit to developing the capacity of duty-bearers to meet their obligations in the attainment of these rights.
- Transparency: We commit to acting in such a way that others can easily see our actions and identify our motivations. We believe that this is an important basis for trust and accountability.
- Diversity: We appreciate and respect differences between people and cultures, and believe that these differences make us stronger as a network. We commit to fostering an environment where people of different identities and backgrounds are treated with equal dignity.
- Collaboration: We believe participatory collaboration and communication are core to our work. We commit to actively supporting respectful collaboration based on equitable partnerships, and to challenging power dynamics which hinder this.
- Integrity: We are guided by our values. We are honest, respectful, fair and trustworthy in everything we do. We consistently strive to do the right thing.
- Safety: We commit to the do-no-harm principle as a minimum standard in all that we do, and to actively understanding and mitigating any potential risks of our activities on individuals, societies, and the environment.
- Courage: We demonstrate boldness in what we stand for and do. We challenge the status quo and remain steadfast in our beliefs and mission regardless of controversial or challenging circumstances.
Membership Commitments
We ask all new members to read through and adhere to our membership commitments, which can be read below.
In relation to using a human-rights based approach
We are dedicated to using a human-rights based approach in all aspects of our work. This means that our work is based on international human rights standrads and directed to protecting and promoting human rights. 3 Furthermore, we are especially dedicated to those who are most marginalised, exluded, or discriminated against.
In relation to transparency
- We expect transparency from each other in relation to our work as members and on our efforts to advance SRHR.
- We inform each other of our respective situations in relation to advancing SRHR and we support each other to be as effective as possible, which includes honestly discussing lessons learned and best practices.
In relation to diversity
We value the contributions of others. Therefore, we invest in learning from each other and in networking, in particular to exchange knowledge and information on SRHR related issues. We conduct ourselves in a respectful manner, treat all members with respect and reject any kind of (sexual, verbal, or physical) intimidation, bullying, aggression and discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, national origin, age or religion in any situation or circumstance.
In relation to collaboration
We commit to collaborating and investing our time, energy and other resources to contribute to shared Share-Net activities to advance the goals of Share-Net International, which in turns advances the goals of its members. We do this to demonstrate our engagement and to promote alignment within our shared cause.
In relation to Participation
We put effort into providing equal opportunities for participation and giving equal consideration, visibility and voice to each other to ensure balance in views and action that support our understanding of sexual and reproductive health and rights across the platform, including across the country hubs.
In relation to integrity
- We expect each other to take on our membership role conscientiously, honestly, and with the best interests of Share-Net International in mind, and we commit not to use our positions for private or personal advantage. We communicate any possible conflict of interest to the Secretariat.
- We do everything to prevent fraud, and in cases of fraud we take relevant measures. IN RELATION TO A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT
- We agree to not place each other at risk in contexts where support for SRHR can be dangerous.
- Members agree to work together to maintain a safe working environment free from all forms of discrimination and harassment.4 All members are expected and required to abide by this policy.
In relation to having a common voice
- When we represent Share-Net International to external audiences we are cautious to follow agreed- to policies and messaging. We focus on supporting Share-Net International to maintain a positive reputation.
- We work together to support each other to develop strategies to address our needs in contexts where it is difficult to promote SRHR.
- We understand that in some of the countries where our hubs operate, the language that we use with respect to rights cannot always be used in formal documents. We respect the wording of vision and mission as laid down in annex 2 of our Strategic Plan 2023-2027.
How Can I become of member of Share-Net International?
Please complete our online registration form to apply for Share-Net International membership and access to our members only area on this website. We regularly review membership requests, and aim to review applications within 2-3 weeks. Please note, during exceptionally busy periods, it can sometimes take a little longer to review your application.
If you have any further questions that this page cannot answer, please reach out to the Share-Net International Membership Engagement Officer, Bless-me Ajani at b.ajani@kit.nl and CC in our general enquiries email: info@share-netinternational.org.