Restructuring INEE: Network Spaces and Ways of Working

INEE is restructuring its network spaces in a way that better balances representation and opens greater opportunities for engagement with its diverse membership. This new structure offers more culturally and linguistically relevant interactions for members with lived experience in crisis-affected contexts. 

Background 

In May 2021, INEE’s long-running working groups on Education Policy, Standards & Practice, and Advocacy ended their mandates. While this definitely marked an end of an era for INEE, as well as the end of some key workstreams, collaborative work on a variety of themes continued in a wide array of other network spaces, including task teams, reference groups, advisory groups, workstreams, collaboratives, etc. 

The closing of the working groups provided an occasion for reflection and change. At that time, the INEE Secretariat established an Ad Hoc Committee to help guide a transition toward more devolved and equitable member-led work. The Ad Hoc Committee, composed of active INEE members, including members of working groups and the INEE Secretariat, proceeded to consult with key stakeholders and produce a set of recommendations for restructuring INEE working groups around geography and language, aligning with the commitments of the Grand Bargain. The recommendations were presented to and subsequently endorsed by the INEE Steering Group. 

Meanwhile, recognizing the confusing array and opaque participation processes of INEE network spaces in general, a team of INEE Secretariat staff complemented the work of the Ad Hoc Committee by restructuring other key network spaces, with the aim to streamline all the existing spaces into a simplified model. 

Simpler, more inclusive network spaces

Based on the work of the Ad Hoc Committee and the INEE Secretariat over the past year, we will be making the following changes, effective immediately:

1. Streamline all INEE network spaces as “working groups” and “reference groups”
2. Facilitate more inclusive participation in INEE network spaces
3. Establish regional working groups

Change 1: Streamline all INEE network spaces as “working groups” and “reference groups”

Over the past two decades, INEE network spaces have evolved organically and new types of spaces have arisen to fit specific needs. As a result, we have had a number of similar types of network spaces, with different names and slightly different ways of working, which has led to confusion. In an effort to simplify and harmonize both ongoing and future work, we are consolidating these many different types of network spaces into only two types - working groups and reference groups.

• Working Groups collaboratively address priority needs of the sector through a work plan, single project, or other initiative within the framework of INEE’s core functions: community building, convening, knowledge management, amplifying and advocating, facilitating and learning, and providing.
• Reference Groups provide technical and strategic guidance, inputs, and review on a specific activity convened by the INEE Secretariat.

See the infographic below and the INEE website for more details about these two types of network spaces.

What does this mean for you?

Members of existing network spaces - collaboratives, task teams, reference groups, advisory groups, etc. - are being contacted by their respective coordinators to explain the implications of this renaming and refocusing. Many groups are using this as an occasion to renew membership and terms of engagement. We encourage all INEE members to join and actively contribute to the work of groups that interest you. Even if you do not see a formal call for member applications for a particular group, you can reach out directly to group coordinators to express interest and find out how to join.

Change 2: Facilitate more inclusive participation in INEE network spaces

In line with INEE’s Statement on Anti-Racism and Racial Equity, and as a way to address power imbalances in the sector, all while pursuing our Strategic Priority 4: “to strengthen and diversify INEE membership”, INEE is committed to implementing more inclusive practices in the establishment, ways of working, and coordination of its network spaces. Specific practices include: 

1. Making it simpler and easier for members to establish new groups, so the work while aligned to INEE’s mission is also truly member-driven and needs-based
2. Improving outreach and recruitment approaches in order to have a more diverse and representative group membership
3. Shifting away from English being the default language of groups, and instead providing technical support so that each group can operate in the language(s) it determines.
4. Streamlining and increasing the accessibility of group meetings, including providing language support for full participation
5. Improving onboarding for new group members
6. Equipping members to manage groups through formal, rotating roles, which will  foster ownership and accountability
7. Encouraging members to connect across groups by creating synchronous and asynchronous collaboration spaces
8. Ensuring adequate Secretariat support when relevant 

The INEE Secretariat will work closely with each group to deliver the support it needs to form, function, and succeed.

Change 3: Establish regional working groups

In the second half of 2022, INEE will begin to establish new working groups at the regional level. The intention is to roll out incrementally, starting with two regional working groups initially, and then expanding to other regions in 2023. 

The geographic focus of these working groups will ensure that the priorities, actions, engagement, and outputs are relevant to contexts most impacted by conflict and crisis. This shift will ensure INEE is a global network in an operational sense, and that knowledge generation, policy dialogue, capacity strengthening, and other functions are culturally and contextually informed. These new working groups will formally link to the wider network and will work in any of INEE’s five official languages - Arabic, French, Portuguese, Spanish, or English as relevant. These new groups will require new financial and staffing resources, so fundraising efforts are already underway.

It is our sincere hope that these changes will enhance the member-driven nature of each network space by clarifying the process for group formation and management, making participation more accessible, and allowing for more equitable allocation of capacity and resources for each group.

The INEE Steering Group has worked closely with the INEE Secretariat in this restructuring process and has endorsed moving forward with these changes. We look forward to sharing more updates on the rollout of this restructuring in the days ahead, and we count on your continued support and engagement to bring our critical work to life!

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Frequently Asked Questions about the restructuring of INEE’s network spaces, July 2022

Why the change in network spaces?

Over the past two decades, INEE network spaces have evolved organically and new types of spaces have arisen to fit specific needs. As a result, we have had a number of similar types of network spaces, with different names and slightly different ways of working, which has led to confusion. In an effort to simplify and harmonize both ongoing and future work, we are consolidating these many different types of network spaces into only two types - working groups and reference groups. Visit inee.org/how-we-work/network-spaces for a list of current working groups and reference groups.

What happened to existing task teams, collaboratives, advisory groups…etc.? Do these spaces still exist?

These network spaces are all shifting into either working groups or reference groups. They have new names and slightly different ways of working, but their work is ongoing. For example, the Gender Task Team has become the Gender Working Group. See the infographic for more details. Visit inee.org/network-spaces for a list of current working groups and reference groups.

What is the difference between a Working Group and a Reference Group?

Working Groups are member-led spaces, coordinated by the Secretariat, where members decide their own priorities, and work collaboratively to develop and implement a work plan. 

Reference Groups are convened to provide strategic or technical support on a specific INEE activity, such as the development of a resource. These groups are timebound and close after the activity is completed.

Do all network spaces have a global focus?

Existing working groups and reference groups have a global focus, with members representing a range of regions and types of crises. However, INEE is also planning to pilot regional working groups, staring in the second half of 2022. These regional working groups will focus on EiE policy and programming in a specific region, will operate in a regionally appropriate language, and will consist of members from and/or based in that region. More information will be shared during Q3 of 2022, including the application process for joining these new working groups.

How can I join a working group?

Working groups periodically refresh their membership through open calls to INEE members. Individuals and organizations with the relevant expertise are encouraged to apply. Visit inee.org/network-spaces for a list of current working groups.

To receive calls for new members, be sure that you 1.) subscribe to the “INEE general messages” email list (manage your subscriptions in your inee.org profile, or via the link at the bottom of any email you receive from INEE), 2.) visit the INEE Community of Practice, or 3.) follow INEE on social media.

How can I join a reference group?

When a new reference group is convened, INEE shares targeted invitations as well as a wider call for members. Due to the timebound nature of these groups, they rarely accept new members once they have been convened. Visit inee.org/network-spaces for a list of current reference groups.

To receive calls for new members, be sure that you 1.) subscribe to the “INEE general messages” email list (manage your subscriptions in your inee.org profile, or via the link at the bottom of any email you receive from INEE), 2.) visit the INEE Community of Practice, or 3.) follow INEE on social media.

Who can join a working group or a reference group? 

Anyone with the requisite skills and experience is welcome to apply to join an INEE network space. Working groups and reference groups hold periodic calls for new members, and individuals and organizations are encouraged to apply. Membership of INEE network spaces is determined based on the following criteria:

• Relevant background and experience of the applicant and/or their institution
• Pre-existing representation: A maximum of one person from each organization can participate in a given network space to allow greater representation of organizations working in EiE.
• Commitment of time and human resources: Demonstrated commitment to network space objectives and willingness to share expertise, technical materials and work in a collaborative manner on network space activities. 
• Representation: Preference is given for applicants from regions that are currently underrepresented in the network space, in order to amplify underrepresented voices and perspectives and ensure that products are globally reviewed and relevant in a range of contexts.

Please note that in order to keep network spaces a manageable size, it is not possible to accept all applicants. However, there are a number of other ways in which members can engage with INEE - check them out here.

How can I engage with INEE if I am not a member of one of these groups? 

As an INEE member, you can engage with the network in a variety of ways, including hosting Meet-Ups, joining the INEE Community of Practice, browsing the INEE Resource Database, subscribing to email lists, participating in INEE webinars, and much more! Check out the members page on the INEE website for more ideas.