This publication, produced by the Themis Network, explores the concept of networking, focusing in particular on combating environmental crime. It contains discussion of a number of definitions and operating rules and goes more deeply into practical contexts, such as the work of the National Environmental Security Task Force (INTERPOL). Part 2 of the book explores the possible role of civil society organisations (CSOs) and non-governmental organisations in fighting environmental crime. It focuses on the Organisational Viability Toolkit, produced by the REC in 2009, as a tool to help CSOs enhance their organisational and networking capacities.
The Themis project is implemented by the REC’s Law Development, Enforcement and Compliance Topic Area, with funding from the Austrian Development Cooperation.
Cooperation is an essential element in the development of organisations. Cooperation, of course, implies more than discussions among employees. It is a means of realising ideas, formulating proposals, building on experiences and consolidating knowledge. The importance of cooperation, or networking, in a national and international context is growing steadily, and this tendency can also be observed within the police services. The objective is to make improvements and innovations in the field of policing.
The present publication explores the concept of networking, focusing in particular on combating environmental crime. It contains discussion of a number of definitions and operating rules, and goes more deeply into practical contexts, such as the work of the National Environmental Security Task Force (INTERPOL).
Types of Networks
- Social networks: Social networks connect individuals in their private lives, ensuring social interaction, material and emotional support, identification, integration within groups, and the formation of public opinion.
- Relationship networks: Relationships between individuals from certain professional groups including those of an informal nature- form a type of network.
- Inter-organisational networks: The term ‘inter-organisational’ applies to cooperation in which different partners share a significant part of their own operations with the whole, but without merging completely. Inter-organisational networks comprise cooperative relationships between organisations and are linked to the larger community of authorities, legislative bodies, bureaux and the general public. There are five main types of inter-organisational networks:
- Volunteer networks: for example support networks and autonomously organised citizens’ initiatives.
- Professional networks: associations of organisations with stable structures and power relations that provide professional services or products while distributing tasks and work amongst themselves.
- Policy networks: mixed networks of private organisations and government institutions and services.
- Issue networks: as a particular issue forms the starting point of formation, these networks are strongly problem oriented and usually temporary in nature.
- Organisation networks: longer lasting, these networks engage with problems that require continuous cooperation. They comprise representatives from participating organisations and have a more formal composition. Cooperation is structural and strategic. Network members retain their autonomy and identity as separate organisations, and cooperation is usually aimed at developing high quality services, new facilities or a new policy.
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