MSP | Network Events
Regularly bringing people and organisations together for direct interactions is a proven way to foster collaboration, unity and a sense of common purpose. However, operating contexts and financial considerations in humanitarian settings can make it difficult to organise events, be they in-person, online or hybrid. However, there are ways to leverage existing opportunities and create new ones so that members of a network can meaningfully engage with one another in a structured or semi-structured manner.
For countries with widespread good connectivity, organising online events such as network calls, webinars, workshops or symposia can be a very cost-effective way to bring together network members and generate discussions in structured, semi-structured or informal ways. Organising these events will require the host to have a video conferencing application such as Teams, Zoom or the free open-sourced solution Jitsi. YouTube and Facebook can also be used to create livestreams for hybrid events. One downside of online-only events is that they cannot sustain engagement beyond a few hours (3-4 hours maximum) and thus are not recommended for full- or multiple-day gatherings.
In locations where internet connectivity is poor, but it is possible to travel relatively easily and cheaply, organising an annual retreat can be a very worthwhile option, especially if the event can be sponsored by a donor or partner. To attract sponsorship, it may be advisable to add an external-facing component to the event that partners (and possibly the public) could attend, such as a symposium, lecture series or award ceremony. The costs of organising a retreat (or other inclusive network event) may be lowered by selecting an easily accessible location with inexpensive lodging options, considering non-traditional meeting spaces (co-working spaces, INGO/UN offices, universities, training centers, etc.) and asking invitees to cover some or all of the costs of their participation.
Another option may be to organise a side meeting to a pre-existing event already attended by most or all of the network partners (e.g., National NGO Forum, humanitarian conference, etc.) so that attendees would not have to cover additional transportation costs. This may be relevant to leaders from the network who could organise a leadership/board retreat around these events.
In places where context or costs make it impossible for network members to all gather in one place, it may still be feasible to organise low-cost (i.e. one-day) regional in-person events that secretariat or leadership members can travel to attend. Such subnational events can help network managers gain a better understanding of the conditions in which their members operate and provide an opportunity for staff who are unable to travel to feel connected to the wider initiative.
Regardless of the modality, those responsible for organising the event will need to incorporate useful exercises that stimulate interaction between staff of different organisations and promote improved strategic planning, coordination and constant communication.
PROS and CONS
Pros: Events, online but especially in person, can generate personal connections that help strengthen trust, collaboration and unity within a network; critical information can be better absorbed through presentations and discussions than passively via emails or documents; strategic planning is greatly enhanced by real-time collaboration among all stakeholders.
Cons: Events require significant time and effort to plan, prepare and moderate; online events may not work in many settings where connectivity is limited; in-person events are costly investments and often require complex logistics and procurement processes.
SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS
Connectivity: Is network connectivity sufficient to allow all network members to not only join but be able to effectively contribute to the event over its whole duration?
Costs: Who will cover the costs of the event? Will participants be expected to contribute? If so, do they have the ability to cover these costs? Have lower-cost options been explored? Is event sponsorship or co-hosting an option?
Security: If asking people to travel, will they be transiting through insecure areas? Will women travellers feel safe during the journey? Are there meeting locations that can mitigate safety concerns?
Time: How long should the event(s) last? How much time do participants have available and want to invest? How much content does the event need to cover? When is the most convenient time to host an event?
EXAMPLES
Kenyan youth network SHOFCO has leveraged the commemoration of International Youth Day and the holding of the Kenya Devolution Conference to bring together its national network for a series of events, including high-profile ones like the development of a Youth Agenda.
Over the past five years, Response Innovation Lab has transformed an internal gathering of its network into a global event, RILx, that has attracted dozens of current and potential partners and generated significant sponsorship funding. Broadening attendance while conducting additional sessions for in-network partners has contributed significantly to the quality of RIL’s global strategy.
If connectivity is an issue preventing the regular holding of online meetings, the rapidly decreasing costs of satellite internet connections such as Starlink, may make it possible to equip the network members in the most remote areas with a robust enough connection to take part in conference calls and online events. A course on humanitarian use of Starlink is available on the NetHope Kaya portal.