Policy Network is an international thinktank and research institute. Its network spans national borders across Europe and the wider world with the aim of promoting the best progressive thinking on the major social and economic challenges of the 21st century.
Their work is driven by a network of politicians, policymakers, business leaders, public service professionals, and academic researchers who work on long-term issues relating to public policy, political economy, social attitudes, governance and international affairs. This is complemented by the expertise and research excellence of Policy Network’s international team.
How they work
Policy Network sets out to rigorously analyse the structural changes facing the advanced democracies, and to facilitate ideas and policy solutions to complex governance challenges. Inherent in their approach is a focus on drawing out the tension between policy ideas and the practical impediments to their implementation.
The network-building side of Policy Network seeks to form intellectual consensus behind these ideas and facilitate dynamic platforms for international exchange, ideas dissemination and political reflection.
A platform for research and ideas
Promoting expert ideas and political analysis on the key economic, social and political challenges of their age.
Disseminating research excellence and relevant knowledge to a wider public audience through interactive policy networks, including interdisciplinary and scholarly collaboration.
Engaging and informing the public debate about the future of European and global progressive politics.
A network of leaders, policymakers and thinkers
Building international policy communities comprising individuals and affiliate institutions.
Providing meeting platforms where the politically active, and potential leaders of the future, can engage with each other across national borders and with the best thinkers who are sympathetic to their broad aims.
Engaging in external collaboration with partners including higher education institutions, the private sector, thinktanks, charities, community organisations, and trade unions.
Delivering an innovative events programme combining in-house seminars with large-scale public conferences designed to influence and contribute to key public debates.
In addition, the structure of Policy Network is tailored towards generating significant charitable and private sector sponsorship of core activities, including events, conferences and publications. Policy Network offers consultancy to organisations engaged in governance, public management, and public policy practice through research, capacity-building, project management, and thought leadership drawing on their in-house team and associate network.
The Progressive Governance Network, for which Policy Network acts as the secretariat, is at the core of their activity and identity. Dedicated to promoting international dialogue between progressive parties and actors, they have held conferences and leaders summits in countries including: Norway, UK, Chile, US, South Africa, Germany, Sweden, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands and Denmark.
Their supporters
Policy Network receives funding and support from a number of sources including private donations, sponsorship and grants. Policy Network is committed to only accepting sponsorship for projects that advance its aims and core values.
In 2016, Policy Network received core funding from Lord Sainsbury of Turville. In addition, support for specific projects was received from the Barrow Cadbury Fund; European Commission; Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES); RSPB; Nissan Europe; Aberdeen Asset Management; Bertelsmann Stiftung and Foundation of European Progressive Studies (Feps). Event sponsorship was also received from E!Sharp; Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research; TechUK; Deutsche Börse and Gatsby.
Policy Network worked in partnership with the Swedish Social Democratic party to deliver Progressive Governance 16 in Stockholm and partnered in events with Canada 2020, Center for American Progress, Speri, Progressive Policy Institute, UCL European Institute and Renner Institut.