Thank you all for your replies! I consider this a very important discussion to have. Quiet honestly, the second most interesting thing to play with in the game IMHO is the background simulation. Having been able to be a explorer but at the same time part of a group/community that is working together, I think it doesn't get any better than that!
Here some replies:
Count me in Kancro. As you know curently inbound to Neutron fields and Sagittarius A* so I am definitely going to support long term exploration based faction(s).
I like the idea of a community of explorers and would join. I am not involved with any of the PP powers and can’t see me wanting to join in that side of it. What does seem to be more in keeping with the Lore is to be aligned somehow with the Pilots Federation.
Lol, as explorers we will probably spend the next millenium arguing where to go and what to do. Therefore it makes perfect sense (to me anyway, which is not necessarily a good benchmark) that we go with what we have already started on. So count me in Kancro, I will visit Eleu when I get back from the void and have picked up my shiny new smelling Condie.
Thank you guys!!! You are all welcome to come to ELEU and visit! Hope you like it around here. However, let me be clear, the SEPP originally controlled ELEU -hence the name- but another faction overthrew them. I am now pushing for a regain of the control of our rightful seat. As of now, is the most popular minor faction in ELEU, while controling SANTJALAN and we just this week expanded to ALOWIS were the numbers are growing.
So joining to the SEPP cause is actually joining to a nation that comprises three systems already -agricultural, high tech and extraction- and working on having them all controlled. Our goal is to control all three and then expand. We want to remain independent, power play free as long as we can possibly enforce it and allow it, but if we need to, in the future, become a power JUST to avoid being taken by one, we want to be strong and big enough as to qualify for such. So, we don't want to become a power or being involved in that, but if we need to form a power to avoid being bothered, we want to have the option.
Plus, who knows? If becoming a power will also allow us to manipulate pricing on Asps, or paying more for exploring data, why not? But this is way, way ahead of ourselves. For now, lets settle, stabilize, and thrive.
I love the idea for an explorer based faction, sign me up

I had a similar thought, but would ideally want a system that's a bit out of the bubble - and then I read FD's writeup that it basically needs to be in an inhabited system in the bubble. Shoot. Perhaps they'd consider making an exception for the explorer community if enough people get interested?
Anyway, it's not coreward, but Rigel would make a nice system for a base
So what is the most coreward inhabited independent system? Some backwater infested with pirates? A religious enclave? Prison Colony? I'm not that far from the bubble right now. I could do a little recon. My fit needs tweaking anyway.
ELEU is not in the outermost regions of the bubble, but is pretty close to it and is coreward, only ever so slightly above the galactic plane. If you check your GalMap, you will see it. Also, filter the Powerplay Map, you will see we are not anywhere interesting for the powers -at least for now.
What are the advantages of an explorer nation? How could a minor faction in control of a single system support explorers?
As mentioned above, might not be immediately but in the future, that we can get the type of benefits I was talking in the OP: reduced prices on equipment, or more for our data.
Also, a safe place to return to. That's imprescindible so our explorers come back with no issues -and no shields, as usual.
Besides that, it would be cool if we all hang around the same system -area. Meet people, share histories, check out our ships, etc.
Finally, be an organized community/group will give you enough leverage to be a force to be reckon with in the Galaxy and -more importantly- in the development of it. Your opinions to the FD will have more impact when talking from a community than by yourself.
I'm at work and away from a galaxy map. Where is ELEU? And how many people are in your group, approximately?
Count me in for ELEU. Since a system is already found i think sticking with it is the best solution instead of infinite arguing. The only problem i see is keeping it with the powerplay mechanics: vast majority of us is out there 90% of the time.
On the practical side what we should do? How to partecipate? Does it require to join a private group (wouldn't mind personally)?
Oh dear AKIRA, trust me when I tell you I know that pain first hand! I left ELEU and SANTJALAN for expedition, totally under control and stable, came back to mayhem! I have learnt a lot in the last 7 months that I have been playing with the SEPP and have learnt the hard way! We are currently only two people, with some contributors that have come and go during crisis or pivotal times. So, I haven't done it all by myself, but many CMDR's that have helped but were involved in similar projects.
I am conscious that most of us are out 90% of the time. However, I started this project even before we had wings in game. Chatting was not possible. And I am aware that this nation won;t be built exclusively by Explorer's: we need traders, we need miners, we need security and some army for defense. We need that support to keep the stability to provide for a safe haven for explorers. At least until the numbers grow in such a way, that we permanently have a population of explorers at home, big enough as to keep the nation running and avoiding collapse.
The idea is that once you return home, if you want to do mining, trading or pew pew to change pace and take a break, you can do so all within our nation, which will in return help to keep the stability.
And even when all of this sounds great and nice, I just want to make sure, before moving forward that we do not step on any colleague explorer or CMDR efforts in creating a similar idea. I want us and everybody to act upon and within the consideration of this wonderful community that I am proud to be part of! Without you, and this forum, the game would have never make so much sense! Thanks!