The [[About Labs|OpenCivics Labs]] serves the Network as a private research and development cooperative of systems thinkers, facilitators, designers, and researchers on the cutting edge of distributed governance and collaborative process design. The Labs fill the gap between the collaborative initiatives of the Consortium and the more specific services required for the facilitation and formation of collaborative public goods or social impact networks – as well as the bespoke development of specific commons IP and civic utilities. opencivics.co/labs **Purpose:** Advance the field through focused experimentation and provide implementation support **Who belongs:** Consortium members engaged in specific research or support projects **What it provides:** - Focused capacity for protocol development - Implementation support for communities - Bridge between theory and practice - Replicable templates from experiments **Governance:** Project-based—Labs teams form around specific initiatives, report to Consortium **Key activities:** - Protocol development sprints - Community implementation support - Research and documentation - Template creation **Funding:** Mix of Fund grants and contracted work with communities ****All Labs partners commit the IP generated through the contract into the commons. These limitations on revenue generating activity are designed to ensure that OpenCivics Labs perpetually places the OpenCivics mission ahead of any short term financial incentives.