Hubs and SIGs
Hubs and Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are working groups which have been established for ELI Members to facilitate discussion, share and monitor legal developments, and stimulate project proposals. As such, they are of fundamental importance to ELI’s success. Whereas Hubs are country specific groups, SIGs are topic specific.
These groups enable ELI Members to meet periodically with each other and form connections with others that can share their expertise, and create an interactive forum for discussion. The Executive Committee extends its thanks to Members who have shown interest in and contributed to the formation and the activities of Hubs and SIGs.
ELI Hubs
The idea of establishing national Hubs was first suggested in Dublin, in the course of an ELI event there on 11 June 2012, and was well received. At the ELI General Assembly on 29 September 2012, the decision to establish national Hubs, with the aim of facilitating and widening ELI’s outreach to prospective Members and institutions as well as increasing the Institute’s visibility, was made. On 5 December 2012, the French Hub – the first ELI Hub – was launched in Paris.
Today, ELI Hubs are a practical means through which ELI Members can meet closer to home, communicate in their native language, discuss current or upcoming projects, and generate ideas for future ELI activities. ELI is committed to the principle of collaborative working and strongly encourages Hub activities, as Hubs serve as a two-way communication channel between ELI and its Members.
Please note that by joining ELI, you automatically become a Member of the Hub, where one exists, of your country of residence or seat. Should you wish to set up a Hub or revoke your Hub Membership, kindly contact the ELI Secretariat.
ELI SIGs
In Council Decision 2015/1 of February 2015, it was decided that SIGs would be formed to create subject specific ELI Hubs. A call for expressions of interest was issued, which stimulated ELI Members to provide feedback on areas of law which were of greatest interest to them. The Executive Committee subsequently identified topics which would progress to form SIGs.
Like Hubs, SIGs are a core part of ELI’s structure, providing subject-based expertise and progressive ideas for future developments in the law. SIG activities include scrutinising latest developments in their chosen field; drawing the Executive Committee’s attention to issues if necessary; considering if a response from ELI would be appropriate and if so contributing to that response. In consultation with the ELI Executive Committee, ELI relies on SIGs to prepare responses to any EU or other relevant consultation or legislative proposal; provide an effective means to review any legal instruments within their area of expertise; and most importantly, provide an active forum for debate by ELI Members in the field through which project proposals could be developed, and, where appropriate, carry out such project work.
Please note that by joining a SIG, your personal data (name and surname) will be published on ELI's website. Should you like to revoke your SIG Membership, kindly contact the ELI Secretariat.
If you would like to set up or join a SIG, please contact the ELI Secretariat. Any Member of ELI is welcome to join any SIG at any time.
Guidelines
In accordance with Article 10 of the Statute, the Council approved the Guidelines for ELI Hubs and SIGs on 24 January 2019. These Guidelines, which have since undergone amendment, provide a detailed outline of the purpose of Hubs and SIGs, they issue general principles on launching and running Hubs and SIGs and set rules on hosting Hub and SIG events. The need for constant communication with the ELI Secretariat, evaluations and other relevant information are also included.
The Guidelines stress that Hubs and SIGs are administratively and financially self-sufficient and must elect at least two chairs. Hubs and SIGs are encouraged to organise at least one event per year. They are under an obligation to report their activities to the ELI Council annually.
Hubs and SIGs are established for a duration of three years, subject to extension upon the recommendation of the ELI Executive Committee and approval of the ELI Council.