Platform Kanal is an open network of individuals who–for different reasons–want to concretise their common goals, willing to take responsibilities and to act politically together with others. It has started under the form of a loose network structure and it is neither a federation, nor an umbrella organisation, nor an interest group. Platform Kanal’s work is based on consensus.
As a reaction to the increasing amplitude of its projects, Platform Kanal has been established as a formal administrative entity (a non-profit association under Belgian law) by the end of 2009. Today the organisation has an operational team of five permanent employees (the managing director, a project manager, a finance and administration officer, a neighbourhoods/pedagogical officer and a communication officer) and an intern.
Platform Kanal tries to contribute to the largest possible openness. But due to the stratification and the complexity of the subject matter, to the large scope, to the high heterogeneity of the population and to the identities of the different urban quarters, the task is not an easy one. But Platform Kanal is not an isolated factor. It is part of a much larger citizens’ urban dynamic. There are many interconnections with other associations that try to shape the city of tomorrow. All these coalitions are grassroots initiatives, researching new forms of democracy.
The organisation of Platform Kanal will continue to adapt to the evolution and the steady growth of its activities. Partnerships continue being created. The structure must nevertheless stay flexible and dynamic and needs to adapt itself depending on the efficiency of its activities and on its forces. The decision-making level is and will remain small. The existing partnerships have extended autonomy. It is the strength of these various dynamics that shapes the platform as a whole.
Optimising and strengthening synergies is desired. How is it possible to unite the programmes of certain partners in order to optimise their final output? How a win-win relation can be achieved? How to make the most of the existent energy? Through collaboration, Platform Kanal wants to create added value.
Platform Kanal is an open network of individuals who–for different reasons–want to concretise their common goals, willing to take responsibilities and to act politically together with others. It has started under the form of a loose network structure and it is neither a federation, nor an umbrella organisation, nor an interest group. Platform Kanal’s work is based on consensus.
As a reaction to the increasing amplitude of its projects, Platform Kanal has been established as a formal administrative entity (a non-profit association under Belgian law) by the end of 2009. Today the organisation has an operational team of five permanent employees (the managing director, a project manager, a finance and administration officer, a neighbourhoods/pedagogical officer and a communication officer) and an intern.
Platform Kanal tries to contribute to the largest possible openness. But due to the stratification and the complexity of the subject matter, to the large scope, to the high heterogeneity of the population and to the identities of the different urban quarters, the task is not an easy one. But Platform Kanal is not an isolated factor. It is part of a much larger citizens’ urban dynamic. There are many interconnections with other associations that try to shape the city of tomorrow. All these coalitions are grassroots initiatives, researching new forms of democracy.
The organisation of Platform Kanal will continue to adapt to the evolution and the steady growth of its activities. Partnerships continue being created. The structure must nevertheless stay flexible and dynamic and needs to adapt itself depending on the efficiency of its activities and on its forces. The decision-making level is and will remain small. The existing partnerships have extended autonomy. It is the strength of these various dynamics that shapes the platform as a whole.
Optimising and strengthening synergies is desired. How is it possible to unite the programmes of certain partners in order to optimise their final output? How a win-win relation can be achieved? How to make the most of the existent energy? Through collaboration, Platform Kanal wants to create added value.
