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Overview

BECOMING A GSEF MEMBER

The GSEF is open to anyone who wants to solve local and global issues facing communities and cities around the world through the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) and who shares the values and principles set out in the GSEF Charter.

Membership categories 

Joining as a Full Member

Organizations or entities demonstrating active commitment to the Social and Solidarity Economy may become Full Members of GSEF. These members may belong to various categories of stakeholders, including:

  • Local government
  • Government institution / State agency
  • NGO / Association
  • Mutual / Cooperative / Social enterprise
  • Youth organization
  • Social/solidarity finance institution
  • University/Research institute
  • Network of local governments (local or international)
  • Network of SSE actors (local or international)
  • Network of youth organizations (local or international)
  • Network of social/solidarity finance actors (local or international)
  • Network of public and private actors (local or international)

Full Members have the right to vote at the General Assembly and are grouped into five weighted voting colleges. They may be elected to the Steering Committee or serve as Co-Chair or Continental Co-Chair. They pay an annual membership fee as defined in an annexed document and commit to taking part in strategic decision-making, including through the General Assembly, and to actively contributing to the GSEF’s development.
Full Members are distributed across five weighted voting colleges. Your college assignment will be communicated by the General Secretariat after approval of your membership application.

  • College 1 (30%): Public Actors
  • College 2 (30%): SSE Actors and Affiliates
  • College 3 (20%): Youth
  • College 4 (10%): Social and Solidarity Finance
  • College 5 (10%): Research and Foresight

Joining as an Allied Member

Allied Member status may be granted to organizations or individuals wishing to support GSEF’s activities.

Allied Members participate in GSEF activities and may attend the General Assembly, but they do not have voting rights and cannot hold elective positions on the Steering Committee or as Co-Chairs or Continental Co-Chairs. At the General Assembly, they are grouped within the partners and allies college. No annual membership fee is required for this category.

Allied Members constitute an exceptional category: their integration is by nomination, and their participation is governed by an agreement or based on a specific contribution to GSEF activities.

If you or your organization wish to be considered as an Allied Member, please contact the GSEF General Secretariat directly to explain your request: gsef@gsef-net.org 

 
 Apply for membership         
 

Member benefits and responsibilities

Benefits

  • Be part of a strong and recognized SSE network;
  • Benefit from a platform to connect with other members and SSE stakeholders in your country and around the world;
  • Exchange on best practices from all regions of the world and receive informed guidance for their implementation;
  • Access tools and support from recognized experts with local and regional awareness to build a comprehensive strategy for SSE development in your territory;
  • Participate in thematic working groups to strengthen your expertise and the recognition of your initiatives;
  • Make your voice heard at regional, national, and global levels and contribute to agenda-setting;
  • Take part in GSEF decision-making processes;
  • Increase your organization’s visibility and showcase your activities through GSEF communication channels.

Responsibilities

  • Support and participate in GSEF projects and activities;
  • Demonstrate solidarity in sharing experiences, knowledge, and information for the development of SSE ecosystems;
  • Promote collaboration and co-construction between local governments and SSE actors;
  • Pay an annual membership fee to contribute to GSEF activities serving all members.

Membership fees

The GSEF is funded through the annual contributions of its members. These membership fees enable the network to ensure its day-to-day operations and to carry out the missions entrusted to it by its members.

All GSEF members are required to pay an annual membership fee starting from their year of admission. For the first year, the fee is calculated on a pro rata basis depending on the date of admission within the calendar year. For instance, a member joining halfway through the year will pay 50% of the annual fee. From the following year onwards, the full annual fee applies, in accordance with the established scale.

The amount of the membership fee varies according to the type of member organisation, based on principles of fairness and equity defined by the GSEF Steering Committee. All fees are expressed in euros.

Should you have any questions regarding the appropriate fee category, the GSEF General Secretariat remains available for clarification: gsef@gsef-net.org

Scale 1 – Local Governments
Scale 2 – National Institutions and State Agencies
Scale 3 – Networks of Local Governments (local or national level)
Scale 4 – Networks of SSE Actors and Affiliates (local or national level)
Scale 5 – International Networks (SSE actors and affiliates or local governments)
Scale 6 – NGOs and Associations
Scale 7 – Social Enterprises, Cooperatives and Mutual Organizations
Scale 8 – Youth Organizations and Networks
Scale 9 – Social and Solidarity Finance Institutions and Networks
Scale 10 – Universities and Research Institutes

Check out the GSEF membership fee scales

Membership and withdrawal

Membership

Membership in the GSEF may be as a Full Member or as an Allied Member. Applicant organizations submit a form signed by their legal representative to the General Secretariat, which submits the application to the Steering Committee for validation. The new member is informed as soon as possible of the outcome of the application and the status of their membership.

Withdrawal of membership status

A member wishing to withdraw from the GSEF notifies the General Secretariat in writing. The request is communicated to the Steering Committee at its next meeting. No vote is required to validate the resignation.

Warning and disqualification

The Steering Committee may decide to disqualify a member—whether Full or Allied—in the event of behavior contrary to the GSEF’s vision, mission, objectives, or Political Charter. The member is notified in advance in writing and may present observations. The final decision is recorded by the Steering Committee and communicated without delay. Any Full Member that has not paid its membership fee for two consecutive years automatically loses its status, unless the Steering Committee decides otherwise.