World Social Forum Cotonou 2026 · Institutional structure
The institutional structure for organizing the FSM Cotonou 2026 process is based on:
It ensures the overall coherence of the FSM process. It ensures compliance with the Charter of Principles, facilitates global coordination of networks and encourages convergences between social movements from different continents. It does not define the content of forums, each edition having its own local facilitation committee.
It coordinates African participation in the global process. It networks social movements on the continent, ensures balanced representation of African regions and organizes preparatory consultations.
Composed of a group of national and international resource persons, it supports the technical secretariat. It will be responsible for: (i) Defining thematic frameworks, (ii) selecting thematic proposals and aggregating them in the final program, (iii) Ensuring the organization of conferences, seminars, workshops, villages, assemblies, (iv) Supporting the organization of opening and closing sessions.
Its mission is to: (i) facilitate the organization of the FSM as a legal entity; (ii) provide informed opinions and/or guidance to the Technical Organizing Secretariat and (iii) participate in various meetings with partners. The CNO is composed of nine (09) major Platforms of Benin: PASCiB, Traditional Chiefs, Social Watch Benin, PNOPPA, Caritas, CSA, CSPIB, Wildaf Benin and RIFONGA Benin.
Coordinated by a Technical Secretary, the STO is the driving force of the material organization process of the Forum. It ensures: the coordination of administrative work and the organization of inter-commission meetings, National Organizing Coordination, CGLTE-AO, partners and authorities; the facilitation of communication; the service of administrative interface with partners and institutions.
Composed of representatives of Beninese organizations with skills to contribute effectively in different specific areas, the commissions work under the supervision of the Technical Organizing Secretariat.
Space for mobilization and accountability of CSOs in the context of the FSM organization process. The inter-commission is organized monthly and allows to take stock and provide guidance if needed for the proper functioning of the Commissions.
