Gov/en/Portal:Justice/Guarantors
💡 In simple words: In simple words: guarantors are trusted people who promise to make things right if a deal goes wrong, so everyone feels safe.
⚠️ Not yet approved. This page describes a proposal that is still under community review. It is documented here so it can be discussed, improved and endorsed.
Guarantors
WikiDeal:Governance NEW
Contents
A Guarantor (Garant) is an individual who takes personal responsibility for the launch and early operation of a WikiDeal User Group or service. Guarantors put personal capital at stake as a guarantee of quality and commitment, and accompany the group until it reaches autonomous self-governance.
Guarantors take personal responsibility, contribute capital as collateral, receive compensation in return — and exit once the group is self-governing
Guarantors at a Glance
| Role | Personal responsibility for group launch |
| Capital | Put money as guarantee |
| Compensation | Cotisation (ongoing fee) |
| Exit | When group reaches autonomy |
| Risk | Personal liability if group defaults |
| Analogy | Co-signer, founding trustee |
Role of the Guarantor
Every new WikiDeal User Group requires at least one Guarantor to begin operations. The Guarantor is not a passive funder — they are an active participant who:
- Stakes personal capital as collateral for the group's operations
- Vouches personally for the group's ability to meet WikiDeal quality standards
- Accompanies group members through early onboarding and governance establishment
- Serves as a point of accountability if the group encounters difficulties
The Guarantor model is inspired by similar roles in cooperatives, community land trusts, and mutual aid societies — where founding members accept asymmetric responsibility to enable the collective to launch.
Responsibilities
- Capital guarantee: Deposit a defined amount of personal funds as collateral. This is not a Donation — it is a refundable guarantee, returned when the Guarantor exits.
- Quality oversight: Ensure the User Group meets WikiDeal quality criteria (minimum 10 members, app, audit, democratic governance)
- Active accompaniment: Participate in early governance meetings, facilitate dispute resolution, mentor group administrators
- Legal compliance: Ensure the group obtains required lawyer validation for any service-specific Commissions
- Transition management: Prepare and execute the transfer to autonomous group governance
Compensation
In exchange for taking on personal responsibility, Guarantors receive a cotisation — a recurring fee paid by the User Group for the duration of the guarantee period. The cotisation reflects the value of the guarantee (reduced risk for the group) and the active work the Guarantor performs.
The cotisation amount is defined in the User Group's founding agreement and published publicly. It is not negotiated privately — it is disclosed to all group members from the start.
ℹ️ Guarantor compensation is separate from User Group subscriptions paid by members. The cotisation is a line item in the group's operating budget, not a hidden fee.
Guarantor Lifecycle
1 Commitment
Guarantor signs the founding agreement, deposits capital, and commits to accompany the group for a defined period (typically 6–24 months)
2 Active Period
Group launches with Guarantor support. Guarantor attends governance meetings, assists with quality audits, receives cotisation payments
3 Autonomy Assessment
When the group meets defined autonomy criteria (governance maturity, financial stability, sufficient member base), the Guarantor initiates exit
4 Exit
Capital guarantee is returned to Guarantor. Cotisation payments cease. Group continues independently. Guarantor may remain as ordinary member.
Examples
Babysitting User Group — Guarantor scenario:
A social worker with expertise in childcare launches a babysitting User Group in a new city. She acts as Guarantor: deposits 5,000 CHF as collateral, accompanies the group for 18 months, receives 50 CHF/month cotisation. When the group reaches 25 members and stable governance, she exits, her 5,000 CHF is returned, and the group manages itself.
Real Estate Promoters Group — Guarantor scenario:
An experienced real estate lawyer launches a promoters User Group. She validates the Commission structure, guarantees quality standards, and accompanies the first 6 months of operations. Her cotisation reflects the professional value she brings (legal validation, network access, dispute resolution).
See also: User Groups Governance