Partnerships and collaborations that are formed in a spirit of inclusion can better respect and promote the value of diversity. Working with others allows for a diversity of organizations to be part of the conversation, helping to ensure that public engagement initiatives reflect diverse voices, actors and opinions.
Use checklists or survey tools to identify your own organization’s objectives, expectations, roles and responsibilities within the partnership, as well as those of your potential partner, and make certain all partners understand these fully to avoid misunderstandings. Written documentation of the discussions related to the above are critical.
While collaborations operate much more fluidly, an effective communications plan with specific timelines for communications among partners is critical to ensure knowledge is shared. A process can be established within the project or activity cycle that requires partners to identify things they’ve learned as a result of the partnership. These Read more…
Acknowledging that inequalities often exist as a result of power dynamics, especially in funding relationships, partners should strive for equitable partnerships. Think through potential inequalities that could exist in the partnership (from all sides) prior to embarking on the relationship and put structures or processes in place that will ensure Read more…
The best partnerships are dynamic relationships founded in respect and honesty, in which partners strive for better understanding and appreciation of one another. Partnership agreements should take into account that over time the partnership needs to be re-examined to ensure that the good fit remains. Ensure that processes are in Read more…
Partnerships that are built on shared visions and goals will help promote mutual support and solidarity beyond the implementation of specific programs and projects. This principle is particularly important when partnering with other kinds of organizations, including those from the private sector. Partnering with a different sector helps to open Read more…
Civil society organizations address some of the most complex social, economic and environmental issues of our time. In the same way that civil society organizations are created because people recognize that they must organize themselves with others to tackle these issues, collective efforts among organizations are also necessary in order Read more…
Putting the partnerships & collaboration principles of good practice into action Scenario: Your organization, The Great Earth Society, has some great ideas for public engagement during the upcoming International Development Week. Not only that, you’ve just received some extra funding to implement public engagement activities related to environmental awareness, which Read more…
Imagine a scenario where five organizers have come together to plan a public engagement activity for International Women’s Day, March 8. They represent a cross-section of the education sector: a public high school teacher, an international NGO supporting women’s projects in Africa, a local women’s organisation that runs a shelter Read more…