Zuzana Malicherova
Network and Policy officer , Europeana Foundation
In this year’s Europeana Network Association (ENA) elections, we are looking to fill nine seats on the Members Council. Discover five reasons why you should stand for election to this exciting role and find out all you need to know about the process.
The Europeana Network Association (ENA) is a flourishing movement of over 4,000 professionals from across Europe and beyond who are united by a shared mission to expand and improve access to digital cultural heritage. We share knowledge and experience, working across borders and domains to create opportunities for the cultural heritage sector and those working within it. We are a collaborative network, and, as one of the three pillars of the Europeana Initiative, work closely with the Europeana Aggregators’ Forum and Europeana Foundation to bring the common European data space for cultural heritage to life.
Our work is led by our Members Council, which represents network members and steers the direction of the Europeana Network Association. As a democratic movement, our 36 Councillors are drawn from, and elected by, our members. This year, nine of our Councillors will complete their three-year terms, which means that we are seeking nine committed members to become Councillors and fill the open seats!
Build connections with other cultural heritage practitioners. As a Members Councillor, you work formally with your fellow Councillors and experts across the Europeana Initiative. This offers a great opportunity to develop your network and exchange knowledge with professionals across disciplines and countries
Propose and run initiatives with impact. As a Members Councillor, you can set the agenda for the activities that the Network runs throughout the year. This could include running research through a dedicated Task Force, or organising events through a specialist community. You can also actively explore and engage with an exciting new initiative that ENA is developing together with the Europeana Aggregators’ Forum and the Europeana Foundation, with a view to improve country or regional representation among our members, energising them to act as local hubs of knowledge and expertise.
Champion the interests of members. Being a Members Councillor means representing and supporting Europeana Network Association members. Councillors have the opportunity to propose new ways of adding value to membership, and to contribute to a more diverse and inclusive network by ensuring that all members’ voices are heard.
Help to shape the common European data space for cultural heritage. In close collaboration with the Europeana Foundation and Europeana Aggregators’ Forum, the Europeana Network Association supports work to deploy the data space, the flagship initiative of the European Commission to accelerate the digital transformation of Europe’s cultural sector. As a Members Councillor, you will have the opportunity to contribute your perspectives and expertise to its development, shaping the future of Europe’s digital cultural heritage .
Lead as a Management Board Member. Members Councillors have the opportunity to be elected as one of the six members of the Management Board of the Europeana Network Association. The Board leads the development of the ENA’s strategic vision, and joining offers a chance for you to have an even greater impact on the Association and sector in the years to come.
To stand to be a Members Councillor, you must already be a member of the Europeana Network Association.
We aim to make the ENA more inclusive and diverse, and welcome candidates from all corners of the world, from a wide range of backgrounds and sectors relevant to the Europeana Initiative. Whether you're an emerging professional or have many years experience in the cultural heritage sector, we want to hear from you. We welcome professionals working in research, education, copyright, technological development, the creative industries, copyright, or any other area related to the work of the Europeana Initiative.
As a Members Councillor, the Network will expect you to actively participate in and give feedback on the work of the Europeana Network Association. We want committed Councillors who are ready to support all the activities detailed above, attend meetings three times a year (of which one in-person, physical meeting), proactively contribute to tasks connected with the implementation of the Data Space or Community-related activities, and abide by our Code of Conduct. As a Councillor, you will also be expected to take up an active role championing the Data Space and the Europeana initiative to stakeholders in your country. We want Councillors who are excited to drive the Network and are willing to dedicate time to actively supporting our shared ambitions. Please read our Councillor Terms of Reference before submitting your application.
How can I submit my candidacy?
From now until 15 October 2023, we invite all network members to come forward as Members Council candidates to fill the nine open seats.
Please send us your candidate profile and submit your candidacy via the button below by 15 October 2023. We will ask you about your interest in digital cultural heritage, why you want to be elected to the Members Council, what you stand for, and what you wish to work towards.
After we have our full list of candidates for election, we will formally announce them on 18 October 2023. We will invite each candidate to introduce themselves to the Europeana Network Association, and you can campaign for election using the hashtag #EuropeanaElects until 29 November 2023.
The following week, the voting period will be launched during the Europeana Network Association General Assembly. All members will have one week to vote, and in December we will announce the results. Elected Councillors start their work in January!
The campaign and voting procedure are overseen by the Voting and Elections Committee. If you have any questions please get in touch with us at [email protected].
We can’t wait to receive your application!
