Governance
WIDE+ is a formally registered, international non-profit association (INGO) fully compliant with Belgian law. The network is independent of political or religious affiliation, and actively welcomes and supports members from all sections of society who strive for gender and social justice. WIDE+ vision and mission are embedded in its constitution.
WIDE+ at latest event 2025 COPGendered
Three core strengths of WIDE+ are its scope, activism and the diversity of its network.
WIDE+ brings together members from across Europe, including women’s rights organisations, development NGOs, national and regional networks, gender specialists, women’s rights advocates and activists. Each organisation, network and individual contributes to the network in different ways.
WIDE+ members work in solidarity with women’s rights organisations in the Global South and other associations in the North, including grassroots groups and migrant networks. These collaborations help shape our agenda.
WIDE+ also manages alliances and strategic partnerships with other women’s rights coalitions and networks working towards global justice.
Key principles of the WIDE+ network
WIDE+ aims to balance four key networking principles:
- Actively involving members and other stakeholders in a participatory, fluid and open network
- Ensuring democratic, decentralised, inclusive and transparent decision-making processes
- Grounding all work in WIDE+’s mission and vision
- Sustaining the financial and organisational viability of the network
Governance structure
The WIDE+ governance structure enables members to participate through a horizontal and participatory democratic model rooted in feminist principles. It is democratically governed by different bodies:
General Assembly
The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the network and meets at least once per year.
Caucus
The Caucus is an elected body of around 20 members responsible for setting and overseeing the strategic course and programmatic direction of the network.
Board
The Board is responsible for the financial and administrative management. It consists of at least five members elected by the General Assembly.
Working Groups
Working Groups carry forward thematic and project-based work within the network. They form the core of WIDE+’s collective work and are coordinated by the Caucus.
The governance and functioning of WIDE+ are defined in its Statutes and further detailed in its Internal Regulations.