Become a member

We are very proud of our progress since founding in 2012. We have transformed from an idea to a dynamic organisation with over 180 members spanning 41 European countries.

Associate membership is open to non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community organisations, academic initiatives, individual experts, and those who are personally affected by statelessness. There is currently no joining fee for individuals or organisations who meet the associate membership criteria, but we are looking for new members who share our values and can actively engage on the issue of statelessness, including to support ENS activities and share information at the national level.

In return, we provide opportunities to attend free training events and to apply to participate in pan-regional projects, as well as to receive expert support from the ENS Secretariat.

For more information on becoming an associate member, please email us at info@statelessness.eu 

Associate membership criteria  

Non-governmental organisations, universities, academics, research centres and individuals may become associate members of the European Network on Statelessness.  

Associate members are approved by the Network's Board of Trustees, based on these criteria: 

1. Agree with the mission, principles and values of the European Network on Statelessness; 

2. Agree to respect the diverse views and opinions within the membership and to look for respectful ways of communicating concerns and resolving disagreements and conflicts; 

3. Are involved in providing legal, social and other support services, carrying out research and teaching or training, and/or doing advocacy and policy work or other work with stateless people or those at risk of statelessness. 

4. Are based in Europe or carry out activities in or which are strategically relevant to the region. 

5. Members maintain at least a minimum level of activity on statelessness and engagement with the activities of the network, as monitored periodically by the Secretariat. Due consideration will be given to community members, with understanding and discretion afforded to any particular fluctuations in capacity which may be experienced by them. 

6. Membership is not extended to political parties or governmental and inter-governmental institutions (including National Human Rights Institutions affiliated with government and EU institutions) although individuals working for such institutions may join in a purely personal and individual capacity. 

7. Membership is currently free, however the possibility of ENS membership fees may be explored in future in light of the organisation’s financial position and developmental needs. 

Associate members who are not part of the Advisory Committee do not have voting rights. 

Associate members may periodically nominate/be nominated to join the Advisory Committee and become voting members. Associate members may also raise issues directly via the Advisory Committee or the ENS Secretariat. 

Associate members are not permitted to use the ENS logo, carry out activities or issue statements in the name of ENS without express prior approval. Only ENS Trustees and Advisory Committee members may represent ENS publicly. 

Under its Constitution and UK charity law, ENS must operate strictly within its charitable purpose and permitted political activity. Hence, ENS reserves the right to refuse (or subsequently revoke) membership if it believes that prospective members might engage (or have engaged) in political activities contrary to its Constitution or UK charity law or pose any other reputational risk to the Network. Please review our membership criteria Q&A for more information about this. 

The Secretariat will regularly monitor member engagement and members who are not actively engaged with the network’s activities will be subject to retirement. Due consideration will be given to community members with an understanding of potential capacity constraints. There will be an appeals process for any member who wishes to contest their retirement. 

Associate membership will be valid for 3 years, and renewable after review by the Secretariat to check member still meets the criteria. 

Conflict of Interest

The member will notify ENS immediately if any such actual or potential conflict of interest arises in writing of such conflict. If, in the reasonable judgment of ENS, such conflict poses a conflict to their associate membership, then ENS may terminate their associate membership immediately upon written notice to the partner; such termination of their associate membership shall be effective upon the receipt of such notice by the partner. 

Safeguarding

ENS believes everyone has a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk, to keep them safe and to carry out their work in a way that protects them. We expect our members working with children, young people and adults at risk to have the required policies and procedures in place to keep people safe. Members should read and be aware of ENS’ Safeguarding policy. 

Safeguarding means the range of measures in place to protect from abuse and maltreatment of any kind all staff, volunteers, trustees, beneficiaries and people ENS comes into contact with, in the course of its work. ENS has a zero-tolerance policy to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and has measures in place for mandatory reporting and prevention in line with UN standards. ENS's Safeguarding Policy and Procedure sets out our commitment to and procedures for keeping people safe in our work, as well as how we will respond to any risk that may arise (particularly in relation to children and adults at-risk). The Partner must uphold these principles, comply with relevant national law and policy for keeping people (in particular children and at-risk adults) safe from harm and implement the required policies and practices to ensure compliance, this includes mandatory reporting on SEA and implementation of prevention measures and survivor referral pathways. Any safeguarding concern connected to the work of ENS should be immediately communicated to the ENS Safeguarding Lead (Head of Policy & Advocacy) or Safeguarding Deputy. 

ENS reserves the right to change membership criteria/conditions on giving at least 3 months’ notice. 

Data policy  

We will use and process above information to keep an up-to-date database with details on our members and the work they do. We also publish a public record of our membership. We will keep your contact details to get in touch via email or otherwise about our ongoing work. ENS will not share your information with other organisations without your explicit consent, unless if required so by law. For more information explaining how we use your information please see our privacy policy.