1) WHAT IS A CITIZENS’ CIRCLE?
Conceived as open and permanent places for dialogue between citizens, they exchange ideas (through workshops, round table discussions), and collectively elaborate and assess proposals aiming to contribute to the emergence of new economic, social, cultural and environmental policies.
2) WHO CAN BECOME A MEMBER OF A CITIZENS’ CIRCLE?
All citizens can take part in these circles on the condition that they agree with the principles of the Founding Charter and commit to abide by them by signing it on the MCAF website (www.fundacionacm.org).
3) HOW TO CREATE A CIRCLE OF CITIZENS?
Any person or group of persons that want to create a circle must first contact the MCAF Secretariat.
Ensuing, the process is very simple: it’s sufficient that all members of the circle read the Charter and join it, signing on the website (www.fundacionacm.org). To validate the formation of the circle, a complete list of members, with their information, have to be sent to the MCAF Secretariat. A circle must have at least three members.
4) HOW DO THE CIRCLES WORK?
The circles of citizens organize themselves autonomously. That is to say that they choose their activities’ programs, their topics and their meeting places. Their practices have to be consistent with the principles of the Founding Charter.
The circle can count on the support of the MCA Foundation for its accurate functioning.
Each circle designates a referee, who will look after the connections and articulation with the MCA Foundation and other circles concerning meetings and activities, a reporter will produce a report about discussions and he will deliver at MCAF Secretariat.
Every circle, to improve its visibility, is free to create its own website, Facebook or Twitter account and to communicate its activities and proposals on it.
The circles also hold varying functions depending on the initiative:
visibility of and information on the initiative;
suggestion of themes to be discussed in the assemblies;
logistical support for the assemblies;
source of participants for the assemblies.
M.C.A.Foundation:
C/San Francisco de Borja, 20-8. Valencia (Spain)
5) CIRCLES’ FUNDING
Circles meetings’ costs are supported by the MCA Foundation within the limits set by the budget prepared by MCAF In the interest of financial transparency, all costs must be justified.
The circles can also seek funding to the MCA Foundation for the participation of its members in activities directly related to the MCAF objectives.
Citizens’ circles are also encouraged to seek their own funding sources to increase their autonomy and their activities.