* Introduction

In the literature there are many definitions of organisational structures. The description for the organisational structures mentioned in the table wants to give the reader an overview and general indications of how the various terms are used in practise, which specific elements the structures include, and what priorities and focus one can derive. It is obvious that other types of structures and cooperation can be found, each differing from those presented. The presentation, thus, pretends to be neither completely exhausting, nor exclusive; one can see the descriptions as working definitions.

* Movement

A movement can be an organisation. Often it refers to a group of organisations and individuals, public sharing similar ideas, feelings, for instance the environmental movement and once the anti-nuclear movement, or human rights, like Charta 1977. As the word says, it can be a moving, changing dynamic group, very much driven by the input and ideas of the individual members.
A movement usually acts rather flexible which is reflected in its structure and the description of tasks and responsibilities of the members.


* Network

A network refers to any structure that includes a group of NGOs or people that somehow cooperate. This may vary from technical cooperation, exchange of information and experiences, towards collaboration at the level of partnership in a joint project and being member of an organisational structure. On the one hand, the loose form of the structure is often reflected in the criteria for membership, the rights and duties of members, and the easy access for outsideres. On the hand, the vision and mission of a network may be rather general based on common interest. In addition, the procedures are not far developed, since not needed to maintain the network.


* Platform

A platform as the word says, wants to be a place for organisations or individuals to meet. It is often based on common interest, ideas, background. The word platform can refer to a structure as organisation, or network. In practise the word platform is used when people want to share information and experience - internally orientated, as well as promoting and lobbying their work - externally orientated. The level of involvement and participation of the members can vary; the links of the members with the platform can for instance be based on membership or partnership.


* Partnership

Partnership is often used for different ways of cooperation / collaboration on basis of an activity, a project. At the level of projects, partners in a partnership are involved in the activities of a joint project together, defining one common purpose for a one-off event on short-term (1-3 years?) This usually refers to the different stage of a project: design, development, planning and preparation, implementation and evaluation of the activities in the framework of the project.  
Partnerships in this meaning of the word is being developed in the framework of a one-off project. In the proces of cooperation partners may come to the conclusion that long-term partnership is feasible, and wishful for different parties (strategic partnership).


* Forum

A forum to provide space and place to meet and to discuss, to exchange experience and to develop ideas, a policy. A forum often is externally orientated. It may have members, as with an organisation, it can also have a more loose structure, such as a network.


* Organisation

An organisation refers to a structure where tasks and responsibilities have been divided among the members and the different bodies that are part of the organisation. There is a general assembly in order to gather the members to decide on the policy and future plans of the organisation. There is a board, executive committee that is responsible for decision making in between the assembly. Usually people are appointed following clear procedures and working methods.


The table provides on overview of organisations their structure and the type of membership and cooperation.

#	Type of cooperation	Common form of agreement	Members	Focus
1	Movement	Mission statement	Organisations, individuals, informal groups, networks	Dynamism, flexibility, change through spontaneous actions, campaigning.
2	Network	Set of implied rules	Organisations, individuals, (informal) groups.	Exchange of information, experience, encourage partnerships, lobbying; often umbrella function.
3	Platform	Mission statement	Organisations, individuals	Provide meeting opportunities, stimulate new partnerships and cooperation
4	Partnership	Co-operation agreement, memorandum of understanding, letter of cooperation.	Partners have been clearly defined, tasks and responsibilities within framework of project.	Joint project implementation based on common project goals. Action orientated, it may also focus on influencing policy.
5	Forum	Mission statement	Organisations, individuals	Provide meeting opportunities, lobbying and advocacy
6	Organisation	Statutes, articles of the association	Formal membership - either individuals or organisations (federation)	on basis of constitution and joint plan of action realising objectives

Other forms of cooperation can be: a steering group, a working group and ad hoc group.
These forms of cooperations sometimes take place internally, inside the framework of existing structures, such as a network or an organisation that wants to start up a new project and creating a working group consisting of different individuals working on a specific theme for a certain period.

Externally, organisations can decide to meet on basis of a joint purpose. Steering Group often refers to more policy orientated activities, or a group of people following and overseeing the work implemented by others. Working group refers to more direct actions, tasks to work out things.

Cooperation and networking Organisational structures

Willem Tjebbe Oostenbrink, September 2003