The future of Share-Net is at risk, amid drastic funding cuts to the Dutch Development Cooperation announced by the Dutch Government in May 2024.
The network is now in a precarious position as the current funding cycle which ran from 2020 until the end of 2024, is not being renewed in 2025. While Share-Net has been allocated a six-month transition fund for January-June 2025 to seek further funding or shut-down activities, no further sustainable funding has yet been secured. Therefore, Share-Net is appealing directly to it’s network, funders, donors, and other entities to fund our activities and enable Share-Net to continue as the only SRHR network of its kind.
- Since its origin in the Netherlands in 2001, Share-Net has developed into a vibrant international entity with seven country hubs in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Colombia, Ethiopia, Jordan, and the Netherlands.
- This is complimented by the Share-Net International Digital Platform, encompassing over 3,500 members in 90+ countries from the Share-Net hubs and Share-Net’s international members.
- Share-Net puts SRHR knowledge into policy and practice
- The network is the only comprehensive SRHR Knowledge Management and Membership network of it’s kind, offering multiple opportunities to it’s members like dedicated Communities of Practice, co-creation conferences, networking events, knowledge translation, and participatory grantmaking funding traditionally difficult-to-fund SRHR topics which otherwise are left unfunded.
- Share-Net utilises intersectional feminist, inclusive, equitable and rights-based approaches with a key message of ‘all people have the freedom of choice, are able to make informed decisions, and can access and take action on their sexual and reproductive rights and needs‘.
- Amid increasingly conservative political trends worldwide and the re-implementation of the Global Gag rule in 2025 following the 2024 US elections, ensuring SRHR stays on the international agenda is imperative. SRHR organisations like Share-Net are essential for this.
Press Release – Share-Net Funding Cuts in 2025
Read our full press release about the funding cuts here. This includes an overview of the situation, a short history of the partnership with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, our commitment to a pathways forwards for SRHE amid uncertainty, and a short overview and call to action for what you can do.
For further comment, please reach out directly to the Share-Net International Co-Coordinators Maria Codina (m.codina@kit.nl) and Dorine Thomissen (d.thomissen@kit.nl)
Future of Share-Net International at Risk Amid Funding Cuts to Dutch Development Cooperation
Funding Diversification and Building Partnerships – Read the Pitch
Share-Net has developed funding diversification and partnership building materials highlighting the key elements of our work and network. The pitch includes:
- Share-Nets Expertise: Our knowledge broker role and expertise in facilitation, learning trajectories, co-creation, Communities of Practice and participatory grant making can be offered at different levels – national, regional, international – in similar or different packages based on needs.
- Our Ambition: sustained impact and enhanced reach within the realm of sexual and reproductive health and rights, and the continued prominence of SRHR on the global agenda
Read our Funding Pitch: Diversify Funding and Building Partnerships
What can you do?
Show your support by signing our petition!
At this moment, it is especially important for us to visibly demonstrate the value, relevance, and broad support for Share-Net International.
One way you can help us do this is by signing this public petition that shows how many individuals and organisations stand behind our work and believe in our continued role and impact. By signing this petition, you are helping:
- Publicly demonstrate support for Share-Net International and our mission
- Strengthen our collective voice as a knowledge network
- Show decision-makers and stakeholders the importance of sustaining our work
- Affirm the value of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and community-driven action
Signing the petition takes only a few minutes, but it can have a significant impact by clearly signaling that Share-Net International matters to its members and partners. The broader the support, the stronger our message will be.
Read our call for support here.
How to Contribute Financially – Donate now!
Given the current political situation globally, we believe it is imperative to find a solution for Share-Net International to continue. In our efforts to find this solution, we are trialing new governance structures which include moving the Share-Net International secretariat to the Share-Net Bangladesh host organisation, RedOrange.
With an investment of € 200,000 Euros, we would be able maintain core operations at a minimal but functional level AND sustainably transfer the international activities and secretariat to RedOrange/Share-Net Bangladesh. This support would secure a coordinator, the essential digital infrastructure, and a minimal budget for core activities, including facilitation of key Communities of Practice.
If you would like to pledge funds or discuss a financial contribution, please email Share-Net International Co-Coordinator Dorine Thomissen (d.thomissen@kit.nl).
Your Thoughts
We welcome hearing your thoughts and feedback about our current situation. Please use the form below to share your input with the Share-Net team.