Become a member

● 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. Institutional members may designate staff to engage in coalition activities, and all their 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.
* Institutional members (Africa-based) only. Not for individual or observer members.

● What are my commitments as a member?
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 (link)).
● 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 [link to “opportunities” below]. Some organisations
can apply for a fee waiver [link to waivers below]. The following annual fees will otherwise be requested
from members:
Institutional members (Africa-based): $50 per year.
Individual members (Africa-based): $25 per year. Reduced individual rates for:
o Student associates*: $5 per year.
To qualify, students must provide proof of enrollment in a university, which will be
subject to verification.
o Early-career researchers*: $20 per year.
To qualify, early-career researchers must show proof of graduation within the past four
years.
*who are not studying/working within an institutional member organisation
Observer institutional members (rest of the world): $200 per year. (Up to a maximum of 10
institutions)
Observer individual members (rest of the world): $50 per year (up to a maximum of 20
individuals)
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:
● Ability to demonstrate a genuine financial constraint that precludes their ability to pay the
standard membership fee.
● Type and size of institution (waivers more likely to be granted to small civil society
organizations).
● 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.
● A commitment to actively participate in coalition activities, meetings, and initiatives.