The Open Knowledge Network connects those in the open knowledge movement, enabling people to take action to achieve local impact and collaborate with like-minded communities worldwide. We use advocacy, technology and training to unlock information, to create and share knowledge. 

The  Network is very interdisciplinary. While we do share a vision and values, the members of the Network all work independently on localised topics, and give themselves thematic priorities based on their local needs.

Anyone with an interest in the open movement can join the Network. There is no prerequirement and we have a low barrier to entry. While we do have technical tools, they are not the main focus of the Network. What we are interested in is bringing together to the same table, all different aspects of the open movement. 

Leadership of the Network

The Network has historically been led by Open Knowledge Foundation (OKFN).

Support from OKFN

OKFN supports the Network with:

• A monthly call - to discuss local and global updates, share best practices and concerns, connect with other members of the Network.
• Blogfarm infrastructure (a website).
• Project Repository - a searchable database of the most prominent projects from the Network and others active in the open space.
• Global Directory - a curated and searchable database of specialists in different areas of the open movement.
• Joint proposals.
• The specifics of OKFN support for chapters is documented here below.

Chapters

Open Knowledge Chapters share their name with Open Knowledge but are autonomous and independent non-profit organisations that are officially part of the wider Open Knowledge Network. They are country based and are leading organisations working on open knowledge topics. 

Since they are independent organisations, the Chapters work on multiple projects and have specific goals for them. Some examples of this are the work on open government data, private data, open access and open science, open GLAM, open transport, freedom of information, etc.

We currently have Chapters in 9 countries: Belgium, Brazil, Finland, Germany, Greece, Japan, Nepal,  Sweden, and Switzerland.

What are the requirements

• Be the contact point for Open Knowledge initiatives in your country.
• Write at least one blog per year for the OKFN blog, describing your activities or a specific project.
• Help define the agenda for and attend the Network calls. We want this to be a space to share with the rest of the Network where you are and learn from each other to build capacities. 

What’s in it for you?

The support OKFN provides is mostly focused on communications and knowledge sharing, as well connecting with other members of the broader open data community. This translates to: 

• Comms support to share news from the Chapter in OKFN’s social networks.
• Infrastructure in the blogfarm (a website).
• Possibility to have your own chapter’s space on the OKFN Matrix.
• Possibility for people from the chapter to be part of the Open Knowledge Global Directory.
• Customised logo and branding package (including 2 hours of development from one of our devs at OKFN).
• Help in establishing chapters’ cooperation.
• One Face to Face Network meeting a year, sponsored by OKFN, possibly in conjunction with a conference or an international event, if funds are available.

How can I become a chapter?

If after being a member of the Network for some time you wish for your initiative to grow into a chapter, this is the process you will need to follow:

1. Inform the Network team at OKFN of your intention - we can support and guide you through the process!
2. If you haven’t done it yet, incorporate locally and establish a legal entity with non-profit status.
3. Share the following documentation:
   • Motivation for wanting to become a Chapter.
   • Documentation of articles of association & status of being officially a not-for-profit entity.
   • A report of group achievements and major activities.
   • A one-year working plan.
   • Organigram.
4. The application is reviewed by OKFN & the Network. Your application is successful if it is approved by at least 3 members. If your application to become a chapter in the Network is not successful the first time, don't worry! You can still go through an appeal process to address any concerns and make your case again.
5. A Memorandum of Understanding is signed.
6. New chapter announcement.

Members

Members of the Open Knowledge Network can be established organisations, community meetups, or local activists located anywhere in the world that share views and goals with Open Knowledge. Members have their own structure and governance and can decide whether to carry an official Open Knowledge name or not. They need to abide by the OKFN Code of Conduct and designate at least one representative to be part of the Open Knowledge Global Directory.

What are the requirements

• Be the contact point for Open Knowledge initiatives in your country.
• Write at least one blog per year for the Open Knowledge Foundation blog, describing your activities or a specific project.
• Help define the agenda for and attend the Network calls. We want this to be a space to share with the rest of the Network where you are and learn from each other to build capacities. 

What’s in it for you?

• Comms support to share news from the Chapter in OKFN’s social networks.
• Infrastructure in the blogfarm (a website). 
• If you decide to carry an official OKFN name, customised logo and branding package (including 2 hours of development from one of our devs at OKFN).
• One representative of the organisation in  the Open Knowledge Global Directory.
• Possibility to apply for some flat-rate support (when available) to attend the annual Network face-to-face meeting.

How can I become a member?

If you are interested in open knowledge and want to join the Network activities on a regular basis, get in touch with OKFN: network@okfn.org. After an initial meeting, you will be invited to join 2-3 Network calls. After 3 months you will sync again with a representative from OKFN or the Network to assess the interest in formalising the membership via a Memorandum of Understanding.

Can I be involved in the Network without being a member? 

Yes, everyone interested in the open movement is welcome to the Network. You can always become a member too, but this is not a requirement. The form of the engagement will be discussed with a Foundation representative. 
 

Effective communication is a crucial part of what we seek to focus on with the Network. This section explains how we want to stay in touch in the larger scheme and day to day. 

Network calls

Full Network meetings happen once a month, and last approximately 1 hour.

During these calls we:

• Share updates from the Foundation & members of the Network.
• Discuss topics of interest.

The language of the calls is English. If you can’t make it to the calls you can always read the shared notes.

If you cannot attend the calls due to timezone incompatibility, please let the organisers at OKFN know (mail to: network@okfn.org).

Communication channels

Matrix

A dedicated Matrix chat has been set up to facilitate real-time as well as asynchronous communication among members of the Network. All members are welcome to join, and to invite people from their community to join. Click here to join now!

Forums

We have a dedicated forum for the Network on the Open Knowledge Forums. All members are welcome to join the ongoing conversations or create new ones. On the Forums there is also a space dedicated to working groups, domain-specific groups that focus on discussion and activity around a given area of open knowledge.

Face-to-face meeting

Once a year, if funding in the area is available, we gather the Network’s chapters for a face-to-face meeting, happening in conjunction with another event of interest. This is an opportunity to connect, share informal moments with peers, discuss activities and future directions  for the Network.