RIPE NCC Sponsorship Guidelines

1. Purpose

The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure that all sponsorships, whether received or distributed by the RIPE NCC, i.e. incoming and outgoing sponsorships, support the RIPE NCC’s activities and objectives while preserving the organisation’s neutrality, independence, reputation, and the trust of the RIPE community.

2. Guiding Principles

All sponsorship decisions are guided by the following principles:

• Neutrality and Independence: The RIPE NCC must remain neutral and independent in carrying out its role as the Regional Internet Registry for the RIPE region. Sponsorship must not compromise, or be perceived to compromise, this neutrality.
• Community Trust: The RIPE NCC acts in service of the RIPE community. Sponsorships must not undermine the confidence or trust of the community in the RIPE NCC or its activities.
• No Endorsement: Sponsorship constitutes acknowledgement of support only and does not imply endorsement of a sponsor’s or beneficiary’s products, services, policies, or positions.
• Reputational Integrity: The RIPE NCC will avoid sponsorship relationships that could reasonably cause reputational harm to the organisation or the RIPE community.
• Alignment with the RIPE Code of Conduct: Sponsors and sponsored parties are expected to respect the RIPE Code of Conduct and must not promote, support, or be reasonably associated with behaviour or messaging that contradicts the Code’s expectations for an open, respectful, and inclusive community.

3. Eligible Sponsors

In principle, the RIPE NCC may accept sponsorship from parties that:

• Accept that sponsorship provides visibility and acknowledgment only, and does not confer influence over RIPE NCC activities, content, decision-making, or governance processes;
• Accept the terms of the RIPE NCC sponsorship agreement;
• Do not present a conflict of interest with the RIPE NCC’s role, services, or responsibilities.

4. Ineligible Sponsorships (Incoming and Outgoing)

The RIPE NCC will not accept incoming sponsorships, nor provide outgoing sponsorship, where the sponsor or recipient:

4.1 Conflicts with RIPE NCC’s Role or Neutrality

• Seeks, or could reasonably be perceived as seeking, to influence RIPE policies, community processes, governance structures, or RIPE NCC operational decisions;
• Creates a dependency or relationship that could compromise the RIPE NCC’s independence;
• Is involved in, or associated with a party involved in litigation, court cases, arbitration, public arguments or other conflicts with the RIPE NCC, its management or other RIRs.

4.2 Poses a Reputational or Legal Risk

• Is associated with activities that have been brought to our attention as being illegal, unethical, or contrary to widely accepted RIPE community norms;
• Involves organisations or events subject to international sanctions, or serious and credible allegations of misconduct;
• Exposes the RIPE NCC, its members, or the RIPE community to legal, financial, or security risks.

4.3 Undermines Community Trust or the RIPE Code of Conduct

• Is likely to result in significant and credible concern, objection, or dissatisfaction expressed by the RIPE community;
• Is incompatible with the inclusive, open, and collaborative nature of RIPE Meetings and RIPE NCC-organised events;
• Supports activities, messaging, or environments that are inconsistent with the RIPE Code of Conduct.

5. Community Considerations

The RIPE NCC recognises the importance of community expectations in both incoming and outgoing sponsorship decisions. Where appropriate, the RIPE NCC may take into account feedback from the RIPE community when assessing sponsorship opportunities or requests for support.

Expressions of community concern will be considered in good faith and balanced against the principles outlined in this policy. The RIPE NCC retains responsibility for final sponsorship decisions.

6. Acceptance, Review, and Withdrawal of Sponsorship

• The RIPE NCC reserves the sole discretion to accept or decline any incoming sponsorship or to provide or withhold outgoing sponsorship or financial support.
• Acceptance of sponsorship or provision of support in one context does not guarantee acceptance or support in future cases.
• Sponsorships and sponsored activities may be reviewed if circumstances change after acceptance.
• The RIPE NCC reserves the right to withdraw sponsorship acknowledgment or discontinue outgoing support should the termination of a sponsorship agreement occur.