How Varia works
Workgroups
Our internal self-organised model has five working groups. Every Varia member participates in at least one.
Communication
Communication workgroup facilitates both internal and external communication channels for Varia, such as newsletters, the website and our email. We are developing communication strategies that overlap with the infrastructure workgroup’s activities, to think about new tools and mediums for broadcasting announcements, documentation of activities and spaces for reflection on our collective research.
Communication workgroup has run workshops to think through alternative forms of communication that align with Varia’s principles. An internal workshop resulted in the publication Social in the Media. We have since run public workshops to help people set up their own Fediverse accounts.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure workgroup takes care of server maintenance and the digital infrastructures of Varia. This includes digital tools that Varia members use, and software we publish on the Varia git repository. In particular, Varia’s Etherpad is used by our members and many people outside of Varia.
Alongside this we try to address the social and technical issues that arise when running public services, and develop strategies that will make sure these services remain stable and useful for everyone. We try to share knowledge on how to maintain a server with all Varia members and keep legible documentation of different tasks.
Finance
Finance workgroup handles all matters related to the flow of money through the organisation, as well as other related administrative tasks. Since 2025 we have been using the online bookkeeping system, ’e-boekhouden’ (sadly not free and open source) and additional support from an accountant.
Alongside making payments, invoices, reimbursing expenses and doing tax returns, we are always trying to figure out ways to share knowledges we gather about finances. We present the whole collective with a financial report each year, and have shared information more widely; with ‘SumTimes’ a workbook/puzzlebook, and the ongoing public programme ‘Money Talks’.
Mediation
Mediation workgroup was made to work through conflict, discomforts and interpersonal development. We are responsible for upholding our Code of Conduct in the physical and online spaces of Varia and are the point of contact when it is not.
We have organised Anti-Racism, Non-Violent Communication and Group Wellness workshops for the collective. We give attention to improving processes of joining, leaving and being a member of Varia, through onboarding, pausing and offboarding protocols. We try to make our internal meetings holistic and accessible for different Varia members, as well as running internal facilitation trainings to improve the structure and success of our internal communication.
Space
Space workgroup takes care of the physical space of Varia, facilitating the use for members and external parties who wish to borrow hardware tools, access material from the library, host events and meetings. Space workgroup makes inventories of what is in the space, with an attempt to have a better idea of all available tools and materials, as well as their usability. This is a neverending task.
We try to work on the adaptation/adaptability and availability of the space and its resources for members and external parties. The main goal is to keep improving the space’s usability for planned activities, and for different types of audiences.
15% solidarity fee
Varia applies a 15% solidarity fee on top of commissions. This is a way for collaborators to support Varia, if they have the financial means. It is a mode of fair practice for our collective infrastructure, which recognises the different forms of labour that go into Varia.
15% is calculated on top of the payment for members. The amount goes into our common fund which is used to cover Varia’s recurring and unexpected costs, such as our rent, bills, machinery care, events, emergencies, and our human joys and needs. These costs are usually not covered by our public programme funding, or other funds we may receive.
Members’ rights and responsibilities
Varia is a member-based association. Members pay a monthly fee, but also contribute with their time and energy. They join the monthly member meetings where decision-making takes place. Members take care of the space, of each other and the visitors according to the Code of Conduct. Members use the space and organise public moments in line with Varia’s motivations.
Financial reports
2025 Balance sheet
2025 Profit and Loss Account
2024 Financial report
2023 Financial report
Funding
Varia is funded by the following organisations and funding bodies:
