Member engagement in a network

This toolkit, developed by IRC with Sida funding and NEAR advisory support, provides practical guidance for civil society networks on strengthening member engagement. It identifies ten common challenges — including uneven participation, narrow representation, ineffective communication, language barriers, shifting priorities, divisive issues, inactive members, growth vs. quality tensions, membership diversity, and trust — and offers concrete, adaptable solutions to each. Designed for national, regional, and international networks of all sizes, it uses accessible, jargon-free language and requires no templates or checklists, making it immediately actionable for CSOs across the Global South.