Dear All, The ccNSO 2nd Finance working group has finalized its draft report<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y68wPgqjbMAO7V6R69o5tp452dioLg7KUXfWOeSX...> (also included as pdf), and the working group now seeks your input and comments, specifically on the updated aid for ccTLD managers to determine their annual level of voluntary financial contribution to ICANN (Annex A in the draft report). If you have any comments, please share them through ccNSOsecretariat@icann.org<mailto:ccNSOsecretariat@icann.org>, or in reply to this email by 31 July 2025. A summary of the feedback will be available around 7 August 2025, and all input will be considered by the working group, before they submit their final report to the ccNSO Council for adoption. Your input will be captured on a dedicated wiki page<https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/ccnsowkspc/pages/370212970...>. To introduce the report the WG organizes a webinar on Thursday, 17 July 2025 at 12:00 UTC to introduce the report. If you want to attend please register in advance: https://icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/x5OqFwNTQsC-ZqA-p7_5MQ After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with joining details and calendar integration instructions. Recordings will become available here<https://community.icann.org/x/ooNJD>. Background In December 2024, the ccNSO Council established a second Finance Working Group that was tasked with reviewing the ccNSO 2013 Guidelines for voluntary contributions of ccTLDs to ICANN<https://ccnso.icann.org/about/guidelines-cctld-contributions-27nov13-en.pdf>. The working group reviewed the value exchange model and financial underpinning (cost model). Based on the review, the cost model (formerly the “monetary model”) has been updated and the total expected contribution amount is USD $ 3.6 million (under the 2013 Guideline and first review it was: USD $ 3.5 million). To explore the discrepancy between the annual level of aggregate actual contributions<https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/fy24-cctld-contributions-19sep24...> and the annual level of contributions to ICANN that is considered reasonable (USD 3.5 million), the WG undertook a fact-finding mission and an analysis of the evolution of the financial contributions of ccTLDs over time. Based on the analysis of both the cost model, and the results of the fact finding, and related consultations, the WG reviewed the current (2013) contribution guideline. The WG believes there is no need for substantive changes, however a refinement of both the principles and the contribution model is proposed. The principles have been updated and will include the call for ICANN to adopt a more segmented and personalized approach. With respect to the banded model, the WG believes the model should continue to be related to the number of domains under management and the lowest and highest (contribution) bands should remain the same (USD 500 to USD 225.000). However the WG proposes three (3) more bands in the lower end. Best Regards, On behalf of Alejandra Reynoso, the Chair of the 2nd Finance WG Bart Boswinkel