Structure

SAAPE functions as a regional alliance of civil society networks facilitating linkages among and between groups in the region, throughout the global South and with the groups in the North. The structure of SAAPE is comprised of the General Assembly (GA), Annual General Meetings (AGM), Core Committee (CC), Thematic Focal Organisations/ Points (TFOs) and the Regional Coordinator (RC). The GA is composed of all the members who meet in every three years to give policy directions to the entire SAAPE movement. It is the highest policy making body of SAAPE. The AGM is comprised of TFOs, CC members, RC, Secretariat Staff and selected representatives representing different themes from the region. The AGM serves the purpose of GA as well as provisioning for annual review and planning of the SAAPE initiatives both at programmatic as well as administrative levels. It meets every year.

For the purpose of providing political leadership to the SAAPE movement, there is a 15 member CC constituted at the 2nd GA. The members of CC come from the RTFOs, country groups, European partner organisations and the Regional Secretariat. The CC meets twice in a year to review and redesign political intervention strategies at the regional and international levels. From among the founders of SAAPE, three members are working as Advisers to the CC. They provide requested advices to the CC, and generally meet along with the CC meetings.

The TFOs are the theme leaders that are responsible for planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the programme activities falling under their respective themes. Based on the regional nature of the SAAPE campaigns and movements, each of the themes is coordinated by an organisation at the regional level whereas the activities at the country level are coordinated by respective country groups. Currently, there are five Regional Thematic Focal Organisations/Points (RTFOs), each having its Country Thematic Focal Organisation (CTFO) in each country. The CTFs are supported by other members of the group to operationalised the SAAPE initiatives in their respective countries. The RTFOs and CTFOs administer activities under their theme in a coordinated way. Whereas, there is also a strong collaboration and coordination across the themes at all levels of their operation.

To facilitate administration of the SAAPE initiatives, a Regional Secretariat supported by RC and some Secretariat staff is established. At present, the Regional Secretariat is hosted by the Rural Reconstruction Nepal (RRN) in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Secretariat facilitates, co-ordinates and expedites the regional as well as country initiatives from the regional perspective; provides support to the country initiatives and thematic groups as and when necessary; disseminates information at the international level; and liaises with different stakeholders. To facilitate implementation of the activities of the thematic groups and coordination between the RTFOs, country groups and the Regional Secretariat, a Secretariat Staff is stationed at each RTFOs to work as an extended arm of the Regional Secretariat.