Table of contents

Join Group

Capacity4dev Groups are valuable spaces for international cooperation professionals to connect, collaborate, and share knowledge. In this step-by-step guide, we'll walk you through how to join a Group, use it to your advantage, understand visibility levels and joining methods, and contribute to the Group as an active member. 

Become a member of Group by following these simple steps: 

  1. Step: Find and Join Relevant Groups
  2. Step: Understand Visibility Levels
  3. Step: Familiarise Yourself with Joining Methods
  4. Step: Engage in Group Discussions
  5. Step: Interact with Group Content
  6. Step: Share Resources and Best Practices
  7. Step: Attend Group Events

Detailed steps 

Step 1: Find and Join Relevant Groups

  1. “Browse Content” tab on the Capacity4dev homepage, and select “Groups”, or use the search function to look for specific topics. 
  2. Browse through the available Groups and select one that matches your professional interests and expertise. 
  3. Click the "Join" or "Request Membership" button on the Group's main page. Please note that some Groups might be archived, which means the "Join" or "Request Membership" button will be disabled for new users.
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[Read more about What is a Group?]

Step 2: Understand Visibility Levels

Capacity4dev Groups have three visibility levels, which determine who can access and participate in them: 

  • Public: Public Groups appear in the list of Groups, but only logged-in members can join and collaborate. Anyone can view the Group's content.
  • Restricted: Restricted Groups are visible only to people with specific domain email addresses, depending on the Group's settings (e.g., @eeas.europa.eu or @ec.europa.eu). Only users with matching domain email addresses can view and join these Groups.
  • Private: Private Groups are accessible only by invitation or direct link. They are not listed in the Groups directory, and only approved members can view and participate in the Group.
 
Access
 		 Who can view?
 		 Moderated?
 		 Membership?
 
PUBLIC Anyone: both Capacity4dev users and guest visitors NO Anyone can join; Group members can invite others
YES Anyone can request membership; Only Group admins can approve or invite others
RESTRICTED Authenticated Capacity4dev members belonging to a defined organisation(s) and/or specific e-mail domain NO Restricted Capacity4dev members can join; Group members can invite others
YES Restricted Capacity4dev members can request to join; Only Group admins can approve or invite others

PRIVATE		 Group members only YES Only Group admins can invite others

Step 3: Familiarise Yourself with Joining Methods

There are two methods for joining Public and Restricted Groups: 

  • Automatic Approval: Users can "Join" the Group immediately without waiting for approval from a Group Administrator. 
  • Moderated by Administrators: Users need approval from a Group Administrator before gaining access to the Group. This method is common for both Public and Restricted Groups and ensures that only relevant professionals join the Group. Please note that members might not be able to contribute immediately after clicking "Request Membership" if the Group uses this method.
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Step 4: Engage in Group Discussions

Actively participate in discussions by joining existing conversations or starting new ones. Share your insights, ask questions, and comment members' posts. Engaging in discussions will enhance your knowledge and help establish your reputation as an expert in your field.

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Step 5: Interact with Group Content

Show your appreciation for valuable content by interacting within the Group with Follow, Share, Bookmark or Like options. This encourages the author and fosters a positive environment for collaboration and knowledge-sharing. 

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Step 6: Share Information and Best Practices

Enrich the Group by re-sharing materials such as articles, docuements, case studies, and tools. Your contributions will help other members overcome challenges and improve their daily work.

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Step 7: Attend Group Events

Join webinars, workshops, and conferences organised by the Group to deepen your understanding of the topic, learn from experts, and network with other international cooperation professionals. 

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Joining and actively participating in Capacity4dev Groups can significantly contribute to your professional growth. By understanding the visibility levels and joining methods, engaging in discussions, and sharing resources, you can learn from your peers, expand your network, and make a meaningful impact on the global development community. Get started today and unlock the full potential of Capacity4dev Groups, keeping in mind that some Groups may be archived and not open for new members.