Dear ccTLD Community Members, The second ccNSO Finance Working Group (FIN2 WG) is preparing to launch a survey to gather input from the ccTLD community. The results will help inform the group’s ongoing work in identifying financial contribution models that are fair and equitable, and encourage ccTLDs to contribute to ICANN at a level deemed reasonable, while preserving the principle of voluntary financial contributions. The survey will open on Tuesday, 29 April 2025, and close on Tuesday, 13 May 2025 at 12:00 UTC. Your participation is crucial to ensure the proposed models reflect the diverse needs and realities of the ccTLD community. In our next communication, we will share: - Detailed instructions - An offline copy of the survey questions - The survey link - A reminder of the submission deadline Before submitting your responses, we encourage you to review: - The offline version of the questionnaire (available next week) - The 2013 ccTLD Shared Cost model <https://archive.icann.org/meetings/buenosaires2013/en/schedule/sun-finance/p...>, and a version with the most recent figures (available here <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PF7RDAVq_k4s9hgIP5Ok85FcqFhfpNqE/view?usp=s...> ) You may also find the background section below helpful. The estimated survey completion time is approximately 15 minutes. The FIN2 WG aims to present its final, community-supported recommendations to the ccNSO Council by ICANN83 in Prague. To learn more, we invite you to attend the ICANN83 ccNSO Members Meeting <https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AYDTCw>, either in person or remotely. The session on ccTLD financial contributions is scheduled for Tuesday, 10 June, from 13:30 to 15:00 UTC. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact the ccNSO Secretariat at ccnsosecretariat@icann.org. Thank you for your continued engagement and support. Best regards, Alejandra Reynoso, ccNSO Council chair and Chair of the FIN2 WG BACKGROUND In line with the ccNSO Financial Contributions Guideline <https://ccnso.icann.org/sites/default/files/filefield_42805/guidelines-cctld...>, adopted in November 2013, the guideline is subject to review every five years. The first review took place in November 2018 and resulted in improvements to the invoicing process. The second review began at ICANN81. The objective of the second Finance Working Group (FIN2 WG) is to review, explore, and propose a financial contribution model that is fair, equitable, and encourages ccTLDs to contribute at a level considered reasonable—while upholding the principle of voluntary contributions. The group’s main focus areas include: - Analyzing and reviewing the ccTLD Shared Cost model. - Evaluating and assessing the existing banded contribution system. - Identifying and proposing solutions to reduce the gap between total contributions and a reasonable contribution level The ccTLD Shared Cost model—also referred to as the value exchange model—was originally developed in 2013 through a collaborative effort between the ccNSO and ICANN org. The ccNSO recognizes that ICANN incurs costs that directly and specifically benefit the ccTLD community and recommends that ICANN be reasonably compensated for these services. The ccTLD Shared Cost model serves as a framework for allocating expenditures. Recently, ICANN org and the FIN2 WG revisited the calculation methodology used in the 2013 model. Based on their review, the figures have been updated using the most recent data from ICANN’s FY26 Budget. Review the original 2013 model here <https://archive.icann.org/meetings/buenosaires2013/en/schedule/sun-finance/p...>. View the 2025 version with updated figures here <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PF7RDAVq_k4s9hgIP5Ok85FcqFhfpNqE/view?usp=s...> . LINKS - 2013 ccNSO Financial contribution Guideline <https://ccnso.icann.org/sites/default/files/filefield_42805/guidelines-cctld...> - 2013 Final Report ccNSO Finance Working Group <https://archive.icann.org/meetings/buenosaires2013/en/schedule/sun-finance/p...> including ccTLD Shared Cost model (2013) - Letter ICANN CEO on financial contributions <https://ccnso.icann.org/sites/default/files/filefield_42697/chehade-to-holla...> (November 2013) - Letter Chair Finance WG to CEO ICANN on ccTLD Financial contributions <https://ccnso.icann.org/sites/default/files/filefield_44824/holland-to-cheha...> (December 2013) - ccTLD Contribution Reports <https://ccnso.icann.org/en/workinggroups/cctld-contributions.htm> (for each fiscal year) - ccTLD Billing Overview and FAQ <https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/cctld-billing-overview-faq-15aug...> - Charter FIN2 WG <https://ccnso.icann.org/en/workinggroups/sfwg.htm> - ICANN81 ccNSO Members Meeting, Welcome Session: guideline review kick-off <https://sched.co/1p2JD> - ccTLD Financial contributions model <https://static.sched.com/hosted_files/icann81/3a/ICANN%20ccTLD%20contributio...> (FY25, November 2024, ICANN81) - ICANN82 ccNSO Members Meeting, Financial Contributions Session: community consultation <https://sched.co/1vpcP> - 2013 ccTLD Shared Cost model, with updated figures (April 2025) <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PF7RDAVq_k4s9hgIP5Ok85FcqFhfpNqE/view?usp=s...> ******************************************* Work like you don't need the money. 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