As we’ve been talking about on the blog, we are intentionally seeking ways to reengage with the global community, which will likely entail making changes to the current CC Global Network (CCGN). We recently surveyed the CC global community to help inform next steps.
We received nearly 100 responses from over 40 countries, and we’re so grateful for the insights and ideas you shared. Here’s a snapshot of what we learned from you—and how we plan to respond.
What We Learned About You
We heard from respondents throughout the globe, though most were based in North America and Europe. This is not surprising, as most of our team is based in the U.S. and Canada, and CC has historically focused on U.S. and European copyright policy. We heard from respondents from outside of these areas that they would like to see CC diversify and deepen our engagement in other regions across the globe.
When we asked about the languages you use in your community organizing, Spanish, French, and Italian were the top non-English languages listed. Several respondents also mentioned working across all six official UN languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.
In terms of how you connect with Creative Commons, 80% of you identified as supporters or followers. The next most common affiliation was as CC Certificate alumni—an encouraging sign of ongoing engagement from those who’ve taken the course. Notably, nearly 1 in 5 respondents are new to the CC community, underscoring the importance of creating clear and accessible entry points for newcomers to CC and the open movement.
What You Value About the CC Community
One of the most valued ways CC supports the community is by providing clear, accessible information on open licensing, copyright, and CC’s licenses and tools. These resources help guide creators, students, and institutions in making ethical and legally sound decisions around sharing.
Beyond tools and resources, many of you highlighted the importance of a supportive global community of practice. Several also expressed nostalgia for earlier phases of the CC network, when coordination around localized license porting provided a clear structure for deeper engagement among legal and policy experts.
What Support You Need
When asked what CC should prioritize to support the open movement globally, your top request was for us to stay focused on our mission and maintain the core tools that power open sharing.
You also encouraged CC HQ to shift from leading community activities to enabling them. Rather than managing engagement from the top down, you asked us to provide the scaffolding—toolkits, engagement pathways, and meaningful opportunities to contribute both locally and globally. You want to see local chapters and communities revived, regional events supported, and leadership empowered at the grassroots.
What Role You Want CC to Play
You’ve called on us to play a stronger role in facilitating meaningful collaboration—locally, regionally, and globally.
Some of you also asked that we convene more communities of interest, and that we improve our communication with you through regular newsletters, events, and updates.
Transparency in governance and opportunities for participatory decision-making also came through as key priorities.
Finally, many of you expressed the desire for CC to take a more active stance in relation to AI.
How You Want to Connect
What we heard most clearly is your desire to be more connected with each other—to share stories, collaborate, and learn across regions. You’re interested in more events, both in person and virtual.
When asked what kind of non-financial support would be most helpful, the top response was “opportunities for training or skill sharing.” There’s strong interest in regional coordination, localized resources, and peer-to-peer mentorship opportunities.
Listening More, Engaging Meaningfully
Much of what we heard echoes feedback we’ve received in the past: frustration with top-down decision-making, and a desire for more meaningful listening and engagement. We know we have room to grow, and we’re committed to doing the work to build stronger, more equitable relationships across our global community.
We also know that when community members feel recognized, supported, and heard, they’re more likely to contribute actively. We’re excited to continue building mutual trust and collaboration—especially as we approach our 25th anniversary as an opportunity to reconnect.
On Funding
It’s not surprising to see continued requests for more financial support. The financial landscape is challenging for many nonprofits, and we continue to actively fundraise to support CC’s initiatives. At this time, our goal is to approach funding decisions on a year-by-year basis. We intend to be transparent about where funding may be available in the coming years and not over-promise where we aren’t able to deliver.
What’s Next
We’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be launching a new community chat platform to replace Slack very soon! Stay tuned for more details on how to join and engage—this chat space will be created for regional and thematic collaboration across our communities.
We’re continuing to work on plans for updating our membership and governance structures and creating new ways to engage with CC and other community members.
A new community newsletter is also on the way—sign up here to stay in the loop.
Posted 04 September 2025