African Coalition for Research and Communication on Abortion

Types of Membership

There are three types of ACORCA membership:

Institutional Member

Represents an organization, institution, or entity rather than an individual, based in Africa. The membership is tied to the institution, meaning its participation, and contributions reflect the institution's interests and priorities.

May designate staff to engage in coalition activities
All employees can benefit from coalition resources and activities

Individual Member

An individual residing in Africa who joins in a personal capacity, and their participation is based on personal interest in the coalition's mission and they do not represent any institution they may work for.

Observer Member*

Either an institution or individual based outside of Africa who has experience in abortion research or advocacy in Africa and is willing to contribute to the work and mission of the coalition.

*Note on observers: The number of observer members will be limited to 10 institutions and 20 individuals at any one time and applications will be reviewed on a first-come first-served basis. Observer members can participate in working groups but cannot lead them. They cannot usually participate in the Executive Committee, unless they self-nominate to serve as the African citizen (diaspora) position in the Executive Committee.

Benefits of Membership

Members can expect the following benefits:

Opportunities to engage in training/capacity development and mentorship – either directly through ACORCA-organized training or through collation and dissemination of relevant training opportunities in the region through the ACORCA website and newsletter.
Working collaboratively on abortion research and advocacy through joint grant applications.
Potential funding of staff time through grants for ACORCA activities.*
Access to grant, training and job opportunities through ACORCA's knowledge platform.
Name and link to the website of member organizations posted on the ACORCA website.
Listing of Member organization's job openings on the ACORCA website and in the newsletter.
Sharing of best practices on policymaker and practitioner engagement.
Influence access to safe abortion programming, policy, systems change, and collaboration across the region.

*Note: Institutional members (Africa-based) only. Not for individual or observer members.

Member Commitments

Members will be expected to make the following commitments:

The commitment of a senior leader to attend the Annual Coalition Meeting (virtual or in person).* †
Institutional Members may host Regional Partnership Forums (virtual or in person).*
Institutional, Individual and Observer Members to actively participate in thematic Working Groups (led by Africa-based Institutional Members)
Represent ACORCA and speak with one voice on ACORCA's vision and mission.
Be willing to make timely and sound contributions on pending policy and other actions.
Communicate and collaborate with transparency and integrity to maximize the impact of funding opportunities.
Maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all Members.
Abide with and fully embrace ACORCA's values and principles (see ACORCA charter).
Commitment to pay a membership fee.

* Institutional members only

† Observer members can attend ACM but do not have voting rights.

Membership Fees

All members of the coalition will be required to pay a standard annual fee as a commitment to the work of the coalition and to benefit from its opportunities. Some organisations can apply for a fee waiver. The following annual fees will otherwise be requested from members:

Membership Type	Annual Fee	Notes
Institutional members (Africa-based)	$50	Per year
Individual members (Africa-based)	$25	Per year
Student associates*	$5	Must provide proof of enrollment in a university
Early-career researchers*	$20	Must show proof of graduation within the past four years
Observer institutional members (rest of the world)	$200	Up to a maximum of 10 institutions
Observer individual members (rest of the world)	$50	Up to a maximum of 20 individuals

* Reduced individual rates for students and early-career researchers who are not studying/working within an institutional member organisation.

Fees will be paid as part of the application process.

Fee Waivers

Institutions and individuals who wish to join the coalition as members but who face financial constraints may request a waiver of the standard membership fee. To be considered, they must submit a written request to secretariat@acorca-coarca.org outlining their need for financial assistance and their commitment to the coalition's mission.

These submissions will be reviewed against the following criteria:

Financial Constraint

Ability to demonstrate a genuine financial constraint that precludes their ability to pay the standard membership fee.

Organization Profile

Type and size of institution (waivers more likely to be granted to small civil society organizations).

Commitment to Mission

Ability to demonstrate commitment to the mission of the coalition and any previous contributions they have made to advance abortion research and advocacy in the region.

Participation Commitment

A commitment to actively participate in coalition activities, meetings, and initiatives.

ACORCA Membership