COPE is committed to working with members across diverse national contexts who understand, stand by and support the network’s key messages and goals. We are open to exploring membership from countries not currently represented within the network – where the candidate organisations and individuals are leaders of best practice or doing significant work on a national or regional level relevant to children with imprisoned parents.

The network has two categories of membership directly involved in the organisation:

  • Member organisations (by invitation only)
  • Individual members (by invitation only)

We also welcome affiliates who want to keep in touch with our work (by invitation only).

** In 2025, all Member organisations, Individual members and all Affiliates will be accepted by invitation only. Any unsolicited online applications will not be considered. If you wish to keep in touch with COPE’s work, please sign up to the newsletter here. Once COPE re-opens the application process, the below information regarding membership categories will apply:

Benefits

  • Access to a European network of expertise, exchange of good practice and information sharing;
  • Sharing of research and knowledge (eg, complexity and uniqueness of children’s needs);
  • Information on events and new developments related to children affected by parental imprisonment;
  • Promotion of members’ work;
  • Participation in European projects, events and advocacy efforts;
  • Advice on searching for partners for European projects;
  • Attendance at the Annual Network Meeting, which is hosted by a different member each year. Full members may attend all events, including the General Assembly; affiliates may attend only the conference and networking events.

Expected contributions of members to the COPE Network:

  • Sharing members’ particular approach to/expertise in working with children with a parent in prison;
  • Signature of and commitment to COPE Principles (where the network’s mission, goals and ethos are outlined);
  • Commitment to aligning with COPE Child Safeguarding requirements, outlined in COPE Network Child Safeguarding Policy;
  • Commitment to consolidating and strengthening the network and raising further awareness about children affected by parental imprisonment on global, European and national levels;
  • Participation in the awareness-raising annual campaign;
  • Willingness to engage in cross-European projects and information exchange;
  • Opportunity to host the Annual Network Meeting.

Types of Membership

Full Membership

Member organisations

Organisational membership is open to Europe-based public, governmental, private and non-profit organisations working with or for children affected by parental imprisonment.
Before becoming full members, organisations undergo a period of being an applicant organisation, following approval of the General Assembly (see below).
Organisational members are voted in by the General Assembly, based on the Board’s recommendation. Once confirmed, these members have full voting rights at ordinary, exceptional and extraordinary General Assemblies.

Representatives of member organisations are eligible to stand for election to the COPE Board. Individuals nominated in this way would be expected to have attended at least two previous General Assemblies and to have demonstrated a commitment to, and understanding of, the ways in which COPE works.

Annual fee: 120 Euros

Individual members

A membership category for professionals with a background in working with, or undertaking research into, children affected by parental imprisonment. Experts working in the field are invited by the Board to become individual members. (Please note that individual persons attached to member organisations or potential member organisations are ineligible to become individual members).

Individual members have voting rights and can be considered for co-option or election to the Board.

Annual fee: 30 Euros

Applicant status for organisations

Applicant status is open to Europe-based public, governmental, private and non-profit organisations working with children affected by parental imprisonment and/or specialising in prison-related, legal and justice-related or psychological, social and child-welfare fields. All applicant organisations will need to:

  • Demonstrate a commitment to keeping all the children affected by imprisonment in Europe at the heart of decision-making;
  • Demonstrate a respect for cultural, policy and political differences across network countries and commit to the network’s ways of working.

They must:

  • Be legally constituted and able to provide copies of annual reports for the two previous years;
  • Have an organisational bank account controlled by two or more unrelated people;
  • Provide a supporting reference to endorse their application from an official body within their country or an organisational/individual known at a national or European level.

The process for joining as an Applicant is stringent to ensure all applicants have a proven track record of effective, collaborative work aligned with the COPE Principles. Those whose Applicant status may last longer may be organisations intending to move into the field of work with children with imprisoned parents who use the period of Applicant status to develop this focus.

The Board considers whether an organisation can stand for Applicant status, to be voted on by the General Assembly.
Applicant status may last for between 1 and 3 years, during which organisations must be seen to contribute to the work of the network (attend General Assemblies, respond to COPE requests, contribute to newsletters, etc.) and conform to the COPE Principles.

If a recommendation has not been made after 3 years, the organisation’s status is reviewed; without a recommendation from the Board for renewal of Applicant status, it lapses automatically and they can become an Affiliate.

Annual fee: 80 Euros

Affiliate status

Affiliate status for organisations & individuals

Affiliate status is open to private and public associations and individuals inside or outside Europe who have an interest in the well-being of children with imprisoned parents.

Affiliate status details:

  • Can receive mailings, notice of campaigns and can contribute to COPE funds.
  • Can attend the Annual Network Meeting and conference if organised.
  • Cannot attend the General Assembly unless invited to do so.
  • Have no voting rights and are not members.

Annual fee: 20 Euros