Online Progressive Engagement Network (OPEN)

Background

The Online Progressive Engagement Network (OPEN) was designed to organize digital campaigns and initiatives. ³ OPEN claims a presence in 20 countries with 26 million members. ⁴ One of the stated goals of the Network is “shifting power from the global north to the global south.” ⁵

OPEN provides incubation services for start-up campaigns, including fundraising, assisting in communications, risk management, and partnerships. ⁴ The group campaigns on “climate change, migration, racial injustice, global authoritarianism and the rise of the alt-right,” according to a statement from OPEN’s executive director. ⁵

MoveOn.org is a partner of the Network based in the United States. MoveOn.org is a left-of-center organization focused on advocating policies and organizing protests. ⁶

Activities

The Online Progressive Engagement Network focuses on climate change activism, expanding organizing capabilities in the “Global South,” and “strengthening anti-authoritarianism in Europe.” ^{1 2}

One of the efforts undertaken by the Network is building its reach in the developing world. Examples of this include partnering with Nossas, a left-of-center Brazilian group, to counter the rise of “reactionary values” brought about as a result of the rise of Evangelical churches in the country and rising urban violence, according to the Network. ²

The Network also focuses on breaking up collaboration between right-of-center organizations and financial institutions in Europe. The Network described how one of its partner start-ups, Le Mouvement, “challenged payment processor Stripe to stop providing services to right-wing outfit Generation Identitaire.” The Network participated in ad campaigns, media op-eds, and letter campaigns sent to multiple banks. In response to OPEN’s efforts, 10 banks and payment providers closed accounts with right-of-center organizations in Europe. ⁷

Funding

In 2023, the Open Progressive Engagement Network received $650,000 from the Foundation to Promote Open Society; in 2021, the Network received $500,000 from the Open Society Institute. ⁸

The Network has also received funding from NEO Philanthropy, a New York-based nonprofit that serves as a fiscal clearinghouse for left-of-center causes; MoveOn.org, a partner organization of OPEN that organizes left-of-center campaigns; and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. ^{9 10 11}

Staff

Giovanna Negretti is the executive director of the Online Progressive Engagement Network. Previously, Negretti worked as a legislative aide in the Massachusetts Senate, and co-founded a statewide Latino political organization. She was elected as a delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Negretti has worked as the Middle East regional director for the American Friends Service Committee. ¹²

Matt Blizek is the deputy director of the Network. Blizek has developed training programs for left-of-center campaigns including MoveOn.org and Democracy for America. ¹²