On Thursday, September 18, 2014, Grace Mutung'u (Bomu) <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
[log in to unmask]" type="cite"> 
 I heard that Avri will be serving in the newly
> formed IGF support forum. If I may ask, how is this different from MAG?
> Where does the new groups mandate end?


The IGF Support Association  (IGFSA <http://www.igfsa.org/>)  is a separate organization from either the IGF or the MAG.  It is a Association formed during the Istanbul IGF meeting to raise funds to help in the support of the IGF.

Part of the reason it was formed is that donations to the IGF Trust managed by the UN is a very difficult process that requires establishing a formal agreement with the UN Fund.  It is only a means for large donation, mostly by states and large corporation.  For years, potential smaller donors have had no method for making donations.

The goals of the IGFSA are first and foremost to help fill any shortfall in the IGF Secretariat budget that cannot be met through the UN's IGF Trust fund.  Beyond that, once there are funds, further goals include:

•    provide funds to maintain and strengthen the IGF Secretariat and national and regional IGF initiatives;
•    seek and promote exchange and collaboration with national and regional IGF initiatives;
•    identify new sources of funding and facilitate funding of the IGF;
•    make contributions to the IGF Trust Fund administered by the United Nations; and
•    award fellowships for participation at IGF meetings, including preparatory meetings.

The IGFSA is a membership association and the charter members joined while at the IGF in Istanbul. the first Executive Committee was elected at that meeting.  Once we get over all of the formation issues, it will be possible for individuals and organizations to join and to make donations.  We are still trying to get all the details ironed out with bank accounts, web sites &c.

The formal linkage between the IGF and IGFSA is that the IGF Secretariat has a seat on the Executive Committee (IGFSA-EC).  The chair of the MAG (Multistakeholder Advisory Group) participates as an observer in the IGFSA-EC.  There are several MAG members, myself included, sitting on the IGFSA-EC, but that is purely happenstance and there is no necessary relationship between the two roles.

Hope that helps.

Avri