Governance & Roles
Transparent stewardship for community power
A community-aligned energy future doesn’t happen by accident — it grows through shared values, local experience, and a clear framework that protects community interests. WE Share exists to support that process: ensuring the community stays at the centre of decisions that affect its wellbeing and resilience.
At the heart of governance is a simple commitment:
- The community always comes first.
- Every decision must deliver shared benefit, protect participant rights and uphold transparency and trust.
To support this, WE Share uses a Community Values Protection Framework — a living safeguard that helps keep the work aligned with community priorities and ethical oversight. It protects against commercial capture, reinforces fairness, and keeps long-term public good at the core.
Members have the ability to review decisions, question directions, and hold stewards accountable. Participation is voluntary, informed, and grounded in consent — because the power we build must stay accountable to the people it serves.
How WE Share Governance Works
Our governance approach is guided by three principles:
Community sovereignty
Decisions remain with the people who participate.
Transparency by design
Clear information, open oversight, and visible reporting.
Consent-based decisions
Collaboration and accountability over hierarchy and control.
These principles ensure the community remains firmly in charge of its energy future.
Working With Our Partners
- Members
Individuals and organisations who participate, contribute, and shape decisions.
- Governance Circles
Groups that steward specific projects and areas like values, data, energy, and finance.
- Stewards
Members who help facilitate decisions and maintain clarity — not control.
- Specialist Advisors
Technical or legal experts who support when invited.
- Community Assembly
Where significant decisions and reviews are made openly with members.
These roles distribute responsibility, ensure transparency, and keep knowledge flowing rather than creating bottlenecks.
Why This Matters
Fair and inclusive decisions
Every voice has a pathway to be heard
Accountability and trust
Checks and balances protect community interests
Resilience through participation
People care for what they help build
Future-proofing
Adaptable structures support long-term sustainability
Participation Rights & Responsibilities
Members have:
- A say in how systems operate
- Visibility into performance and financial outcomes
- The right to benefit from shared community assets
- A responsibility to uphold the values of cooperation and integrity
Participation is a two-way commitment: benefit comes with stewardship.
Evolvable by Design
As WE Share grows, governance will continue to evolve based on:
- Community feedback
- Learning from early pilots
- Regulatory alignment
- New ideas that strengthen cooperation and shared benefit
Governance remains dynamic — because our community is.
The Short Version
- Governance at WE Share is about community trust, transparency, and people taking care of what we build together.