Our approach to network building
A key approach to achieving our goals is to cultivate decentralised ‘impact networks’ in the grassroots, the ‘grasstops’ (national NGOs) and among organisations and individuals in the narrative and cultural spheres, ultimately connecting these networks into a ‘movement network’.
An impact network is a decentralised, interconnected system of individuals, organisations, and groups working collaboratively toward a shared purpose. Unlike traditional hierarchical structures, impact networks harness relationships, trust, and distributed leadership to drive large-scale social and systemic change (see Impact Networks by David Ehrlichman for more details).
By taking an impact network approach which centers decentralised, collaborative, and emergent ways of organising, we can support the UK animal freedom movement to build collective power while maintaining autonomy and flexibility.
Core Elements of the impact network approach applied to the Animal Freedom movement
Weaving Connections Across the Movement
The movement is currently fragmented, with grassroots groups and NGOs often working in silos
Impact networks thrive on deep, trust-based relationships, making collaboration more effective.
A network weaver role is essential to connect these groups, fostering trust and enabling cross-pollination of ideas, resources, and strategies over time.
2. Shared Purpose and Emergent Strategy
Network participants align around a common goal (e.g., animal freedom), but strategies evolve organically through collective learning and experimentation.
Instead of rigid top-down control and centralised strategies, the network adapts dynamically based on real-world developments and opportunities.
3. Decentralised Leadership and Self-Organising
Power is distributed, allowing multiple leaders and groups to take initiative.
Autonomous nodes (grassroots groups, NGOs, campaigns) act independently but remain connected, reinforcing each other’s work.
4. Collaboration Over Competition
The focus is on shared learning, joint problem-solving, and collective impact rather than individual organisational or group success.
Instead of competing for limited resources, network members pool expertise, tools, and strategies to amplify movement-wide efforts.
5. Rapid Mobilisation and Adaptability
Unlike rigid hierarchical organisations, impact networks can respond quickly to trigger events, deploying protests, direct actions, media interventions, or advocacy as needed
They operate through a "sense and respond" approach, meaning decisions emerge from constant feedback loops rather than top-down mandates.
6. Enabling Infrastructure for Coordination
Impact networks use decentralised communication tools (e.g., WhatsApp groups, regional hubs, regular gatherings and convenings) to maintain alignment without centralisation.
Tools such as shared resource libraries, mapping of movement actors, and collaborative decision-making frameworks enhance collective intelligence.
For us, an impact network approach means:
✅ Connecting fragmented grassroots groups and NGOs into a mutually reinforcing ecosystem
✅ Empowering autonomous, decentralised activism while ensuring movement-wide strategic alignment
✅ Fostering a culture of collaboration and shared learning, where local groups and organisations experiment and scale up successes
✅ Rapidly mobilising around trigger events (e.g., media exposes, policy opportunities) by activating existing relationships and structures.
✅ Building long-term movement infrastructure, ensuring collective resilience and adaptability rather than reliance on single organisations.
