Thematic Groups

We have different thematic groups, which reflect our common thematic priorities and deal with selected themes of cooperation.

The Thematic Groups work on issues identified as suitable for medium or long-term collaboration and endorsed at the Annual Meeting. They define their respective Terms of References and agree upon their activities and programmes as well as on their outputs and outcomes . They independently choose the appropriate way of holding regular meetings and organise their exchanges. However, they accept guidance from the Core Group.

The activities, results and findings developed by the Thematic Groups – including minutes - are reported at the Annual Meeting and shared with all members of the Network through appropriate ways.

Membership of a Thematic Group is on a voluntary basis and in accordance with the priority given to the particular issue covered by the Thematic Group. Members will nominate a contact person for each Thematic Group they want to participate in.

Members of a Thematic Group are thereby de facto members of the Network.

Non-practitioners, like representatives of governments or policymakers may be invited or may participate as observers in Thematic Group meetings working on issues they deal with. This should ensure an open dialogue between the practitioners and the political level.

Each Thematic Group is moderated by a leader, who is a Member institution. The thematic group leader nominates an agent responsible for reporting back to the core group and the annual conference.

New thematic groups can be created on demand and interest of the network members. The creation of a Thematic Group is subject to agreement by the Core Group and approval by the Annual Meeting. The Core Group may also decide to reorient or even close down a Group. The criteria for setting up a new thematic group include:

• working theme and objectives being relevant on the EU development agenda and potential for catalysing various European practitioners,

• commitment of a member to take over the responsibility of the Thematic Group leader and to invest the appropriate resources and staff

• at least three further members engaging themselves to actively contribute

• availability of Terms of References, work programmes and expected outputs