Sustainability, governance and partnerships of Decidim
Participatory process to define Decidim's management model and sustainability strategy
Currently, the Decidim Association is highly dependent on public funding. Specifically, it receives two subsidies from Barcelona City Council (100k) and the Generalitat de Catalunya (50k). This income allows it to support the Technical Office and pay for other minor expenses. In addition, there is a contract from Barcelona City Council through which Decidim's maintainers are hired.
However, depending so much on public funding and so few institutions is a risk. As we have already seen, we can lose that money for bureaucratic reasons - as happened to us with the 50k from Barcelona City Council last year - or because of changes in governments, which could lead to the withdrawal of institutional support. This is why it is imperative to work to diversify the Association's sources of funding, both qualitatively and quantitatively.
This debate seeks to discuss what strategies to follow in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project.
Questions for the debate
- How can the Association obtain resources from all the economic activity generated around Decidim?
- How can we expand the number and type of actors that can support the project, beyond Catalan institutions? In particular, would it be possible for public institutions, NGOs, etc. that are users of the Decidim SW to support the project?
- What kind of services can the Association offer?
- What other sustainability strategies should we explore?
*It is necessary to take into account those aspects that are already defined in the Statutes of the Association:
Article 4.3. Defines services as an activity of the Association.
Article 20. The management of public and private subsidies corresponds to the coordination committee.
How can I participate?
- By leaving your comments below. You can answer the questions or write your thoughts on the topic addressed in this debate.
- Upvote for the comments you agree with. Your votes will be taken into account when drafting the document.
Remember to express your opinion respectfully.
.jpg)
Report inappropriate content
Is this content inappropriate?
Close debate
What is the summary or conclusion of this debate?
Comment details
You are seeing a single comment
View all comments
Conversation with Pau Parals
After the great explanation by @xabier, it's difficult to add more things. I totally agree with what you propose in points 2 and 4. On the other hand, I also agree with points 1 and 4, with nuances:
(1) This commitment must come from a policy of partners. In my opinion, when any organization (technological, social, etc.) profits from exploiting Decidim, there must be a return. On the other hand, since no one can be forced, there must be a clear policy of partners from the Association: gratitude, publicity, reputation, preferential collaboration with association projects, events focused on providers. I also believe that a "membership fee" policy can be applied that gives you the right to have more influence on the governance of the project, such as being part of a product advisory council.
(3) The services that the Association can offer can also include consultancy in drafting "tenders" for municipalities, as there is a great lack of knowledge on how to bet for free software. I also believe that the ideation of large participatory processes (citizen assemblies) could be considered, as for now, it is being focused on the technical aspect and we can offer much more quality in how Decidim processes can be carried out.
Furthermore, I would like to add the last point:
(5) The budget for official maintenance must be ensured. We cannot depend on the Barcelona City Council. Therefore, the Association should promote agreements with public institutions.
Hi Pau! I agree with the most of the things you say.
However, I have some doubts regarding the "membership fee policy" you propose. I don't think that the influence you have on the project should be greater for those who pay. Being a member should have advantages, but I don't think we should move towards a governance model where those who pay have more say.
The issue of being able to have influence over the product, I think, is a debate that belongs more to technological governance (https://meta.decidim.org/processes/sustainability-governance/f/1795/debates/249 )
Loading comments ...