Post to NWC development group on the forum May 2018. Copied here for convenience.

Update: On reflection the idea below is probably too much of a jump. We could stage it, by first asking people on our map of mappers to join in creating a more comprehensive map of mappers, network builders, civic techies and relevant projects. That would then give us a better pool of people for the CoP.

Here's a great opportunity to launch and animate the Community of Practice, and develop a collaborative funding bid.

Hub for London are now advertising the Networks Partner post. More below and on the wiki. I propose an invite to people on the Mappers Map, and others interested, on these lines:

Join the Hub for London in building collaboration maps, networks and civic tech to create a fair and inclusive Networked City.

“Thanks for putting yourself on the map of London mappers and network builders (link). Here's how we can make that map the basis for collaboration maps and teams to develop Networked City - and hopefully raise some funding.

“The new Hub for London has advertised a £36,000 post with this responsibility:

To offer support to civil society groups through the development and coordination of networks and forums, both via existing networks and through the development of new alliances. This role will also take a particular focus on new technologies to support groups to communicate and collaborate.

“If you look at the details below, and here, you'll see that it reflects many of the ideas we've developed during the Networked City exploration, and which we fed into the advisory group. That opens up great opportunities for collaboration.

“It is also pretty clear that one person in a team of five or six can't do the job alone. That why in February we proposed to the Hub advisory group a Community of Practice, or network of people with skills in mapping, networking building, tech and organising.

“The idea went down well - and now is the time to put it into practice, and hopefully get some funding. Here's how.

“As well as receiving the idea of a CoP, the Hub has also looked at collaborative social network mapping, which we demonstrated at our event on March 27. The Hub commissioned the same mapping approach (with both managed by Drew Mackie) at the recent Voluntary and Community Sector tech camp. In the past I've had constructive discussions about putting network maps together.

I'm now suggesting:

• We form the Community of Practice, based on our map. We update the survey to reflect key points in the Hub job description, so we can easily see what assets we have.
• We'll invite other people that we know and trust to ensure we have a good range of skills.
• We use our Networked City forum, and meetups, to develop a collective approach to help the Networks Partner fulfil their remit - and do much more besides.
• Then we collaborate in developing funding bids around projects and work packages. The map will show who will collaborate and form teams with who. We can show existing and desired connections.
• We make the idea of Collaboration Maps and Networks the basis of our approach. As well as mapping ourselves, we'll propose mapping people and projects who could help build networked infrastructure.

Does sound crazy?

Well, in 2007 I worked with Simon Berry and a few score other people to develop a collaborative bid to Cabinet Office for a £1.2 million Innovation Exchange. We didn't win, but we were short-listed and interviewed. Simon says it provided some inspiration for the hugely successful Colalife initiative to bring life-saving oral rehydration salts to young children in developing countries, through a wide range of collaborations.

The aim would be to do three things:

• Help the Hub for London succeed in developing a networked approach to civil society support, now that it has accepted that idea. Here's the backstory.
• Develop a Community of Practice and network to spread and support learning about network building throughout London.
• Secure funding from different sources for individuals and groups in the CoP, and demonstrate how funding can be a catalyst for collaboration, not just competition.

I'll shortly send you an invitation to join the forum, and also our first major event, at Outlandish on June 14. If you fancy pitching for the Networks Partner job, here's the recruitment pack.

You may ask … will the Hub, and London funders, take our approach serious? One of the key recommendations in The Way Ahead report that originally proposed the Hub, was to support pragmatic co-production. I subsequently drafted a report for the Hub co-production sub-group, and they recommended creating a co-production network. Aren't we to do just that? What's to lose? Whatever happens, we'll learn a lot and develop a lot and develop some new relationships.

Responsibilities of the Networks Partner.

1. To offer support to civil society groups through the development and coordination of networks and forums, and by supporting existing networks (i.e. CVS Directors and Volunteer Centre networks) with a focus on co-production
2. To harness the use of technology and develop new online forums and networks where civil society groups and partners can network and communicate
3. To support on the development of new alliances where a need is identified
4. To identify and link various networks to strategic leads across London via signposting and liaison
5. To develop and expand existing partnerships to increase collaboration and the sharing of resources
6. To establish new partnerships across London based upon key thematic programmes of work
7. Provide a range of training and support programmes in line with the needs of the civil society groups and networks, including sourcing trainers, venues and implementing an evaluation process
8. To identify training gaps and develop a training and development strategy to support the needs of the civil society within London
9. Develop key programmes of work to share best practice and profile minimum standards for civil society organisations (i.e. minimum standards for organisations working with volunteers)
10. Create online resources hubs, whereby materials, research and best practice models can be shared and used to inform future developments

So what do you think? I've got energy to push this forward.

The OWA banner map can proceed in parallel, or link with this. I think that this CoP proposal will appeal to Christine and the HEAR network, who are currently standing back from the banner map.

I can check out the idea with Sharon Long, Hub adviser, who has told Matt and I in the past that she would help us with fundraising. Drew and I can also suggest collaboration with Kate White and Superhighways, who hold the VCSS map.