Think-tanks have long sought to facilitate relationships between business, the policy community and government to inform policy and political debates. This has traditionally taken one of two forms: one-off seminars or ongoing research projects. However, it is too often the case that single seminars offer insufficient continuing benefit to the participants, with little development of either the relationships between the participants or the ideas generated by the events. On the other hand if ongoing research projects are to be successful they require high levels of resource investment, and of necessity address a strictly limited subject matter.

The Fabian Society’s Environmental Policy Network seeks to overcome these limitations. The aim of the Fabian Network is that they prevail over time and address a range of issues, within an overarching theme, through a seminar series and other occasional events. Members will be invited to all of the events held by their Network, and will also have access to activities carried out by other Fabian Networks. Members will be able to access a range of events across these themes, choosing those which address most closely their specific interests whilst building sustained relationships with other network members and participants. This is an opportunity for members to to participate in public policy and political discussions in an effective way that is also resource efficient.

Past networks have included the Science and Technology Policy Network, City Business & Policy Network and the Housing & Communities Policy Network.