Our approach

​CollectivePower brings together experience-based knowledge with scientific knowledge. The knowledge that the Social Enterprise and Institutions for Collective Action research group has acquired over the years is summarized in the SICADE model. This is a graphical representation of three dimensions that play a role in the resilient development of citizen collectives and the three underlying principles that underlie them.

In this video*, we explain how extreme citizen science differs from traditional science and how we ensure that the learning process continuously helps citizen collectives develop into resilient organizations.

Resilience is at the heart of the model. This is the ability of a collective to develop actively and in a balanced way. Resilience is necessary as long as a collective wants to continue pursuing its goals, whether it concerns healthcare, sustainable agriculture, or green energy. 

To be resilient, three elements must be in balance. These are the three spheres in the diagram: the collective of members, the collective of resources, and organization & governance. In practice, these elements within a collective can constantly change. It is then important that the other elements change accordingly, so that a new balance is created.

At the intersection of the spheres are the three success factors that help collectives find their balance.

• Members must see the value, or rather usefulness, in the products and services offered. If the value for the collective's participants diminishes, their willingness to participate diminishes. This leads to a decline in their engagement, and they may drop out.
• Social equality among members forms the foundation for a successful organization and its long-term governance. When different members are treated differently, this can lead to conflicts or a growing distance between the board and a group of members.
• Efficiency is the efficient and effective use of resources to achieve the collective's goals. When members feel their contributions are not being used effectively, their engagement decreases and they may even consider disengaging.

Of course, there are also external factors that influence the collective. Consider, for example, time and place, weather and climate, legislation, demographics, and technological advancements. All these factors together mean that collectives must constantly adapt and continually seek a new equilibrium. To understand how citizen collectives become more resilient, we always ask our members to complete a questionnaire upon registration. The answers are used for the Monitor Burgercollectieven and by scientists from the Science Lab to better support the movement with research. It also provides a moment of reflection and gives you insight into the current state of affairs of your citizen collective.

Fun fact: SICADE stands for Strategies of Institutions for Collective Action in Development. Citizen collectives are a form of Institutions for Collective Action, an organizational structure that has existed for centuries. The name is also a nod to Bloomington, Indiana (USA), where Nobel Prize winner Elinor Ostrom first conducted scientific research on Institutions for Collective Action. Bloomington is known for its cicadas, an insect that completely takes over the city every seven years.

Acknowledgements

De Moor, T., (2021). Three waves of cooperation. A millennium of institutions for collective action in historical perspective (Case-study: The Netherlands). In: Oxford Handbook on International Economic Governance, eds E. Brousseau and I. Bellaci. Oxford University Press.