The MFA Forum is an open network of organisations that work together to explore how the combined competencies of different actors can help guide the transition to a post-MFA world. AccountAbility holds the Secretariat function and is responsible for fundraising, convening and coordination of the Forum. Strategic and policy decision-making is made by the entire MFA Forum. An Executive Committee was formed in May 2004 to expedite production of research and outreach for the MFA Forum, but was wound up in early 2005.
Since the MFA Forum has started working in different countries, the question of governance has been reassessed. An Executive Committee (representing business, public sector, trade unions, NGOs and multi-stakeholder initiatives) was selected at an MFA Forum meeting in January 2006 to help lead the MFA Forum in this next phase of in-country work.
Participation in the in-country sub-groups of the MFA Forum is voluntary and open to organisations with an interest in developing the competitiveness and social responsibility of the garment and textiles industry in that country. In-country groups are formed when there is a ‘critical mass’ of sufficient interest amongst MFA Forum participants, when there is multi-stakeholder representation by Forum participants, and a willingness on the part of one or two to lead the group's efforts.
The governance structure of the MFA Forum has been kept deliberately simple in order to minimize the resources needed to maintain it, to harness the innovation and flexibility of such a network, and to be inclusive, so that any parties interested in the MFA Forum’s work may be encouraged to participate at a level of involvement that suits them. For this reason the MFA Forum has not introduced any membership fees or criteria for participation.