OPEN organisations respond to a key gap in the ecosystem of progressive change. More narrowly focused NGOs often possess essential policy expertise, relationships and institutional knowledge. Vital for winning on big issues in the long term. But they are not always well placed to respond to a fast-moving attack on rights, to sudden new initiatives or bad decisions. They can’t move fast enough to take advantage of public attention due to an unfolding event, before the news cycle moves on.

Big NGOs aren’t always willing or able to communicate in simple, engaging terms about what’s going on, in ways that will bring in new audiences. And they are falling behind when it comes to digital technology. That’s where OPEN members come in. OPEN member organisations speak directly to people’s day-to-day concerns and fears in engaging terms, but with the values of care, justice and equality at their heart. They’re digital first, non party-political and they put a commitment to people power at the heart of all they do. Members set the direction, voting in polls and with their feet to indicate what campaigns matter most to them.

OPEN members follow the energy and interest of the media agenda, just like most regular people do – but with the eagle eye of a campaigner. They combine strategic nous and practical tools to turn a news story into a surge of people power that moves a decision maker at a critical moment. The forest doesn’t get torn down. The bank shuts down the right-wing group’s accounts. A racist politician is forced to quit. A transphobic law doesn’t pass. OPEN members are committed to shifting the needle, to empowering people in their millions. Together we will preserve the things we love and demand the world we want.

Read case studies.

In 2013 five digital campaigning organizations came together with a powerful vision. Today our network across 18 countries has made manifest the future our founders set in motion. At our Global Summit in Warsaw, Executive Director Giovanna Negretti shared her thoughts on where we’ve been, where we’re going and the top ten lessons we’ve learned. Read her full remarks here. And watch our celebration video to hear directly from OPEN members how the network supports, boosts and inspires their work!