What are some strategies for developing collaborative partnerships with other organizations or movements?

1 Identify potential partners

The first step is to identify potential partners that have a similar or complementary mission, vision, and values as your organization or movement. You can do this by conducting a stakeholder analysis, mapping the existing actors in your field or issue area, and researching their goals, activities, and impact. You can also network with other organizers, attend events, and join coalitions or platforms that connect you with like-minded groups.

2 Establish clear expectations and roles

The second step is to establish clear expectations and roles for each partner, based on their strengths, capacities, and contributions. You can do this by creating a partnership agreement or memorandum of understanding that outlines the purpose, objectives, scope, duration, and responsibilities of the partnership. You can also define the decision-making process, the communication channels, the conflict resolution mechanism, and the evaluation criteria for the partnership.

3 Build trust and rapport

The third step is to build trust and rapport among the partners, as this is the foundation of any successful collaboration. You can do this by communicating regularly, openly, and respectfully, and by listening to each other's needs, concerns, and feedback. You can also foster a sense of belonging and solidarity by creating opportunities for social interaction, mutual learning, and recognition.

4 Coordinate and collaborate

The fourth step is to coordinate and collaborate effectively with your partners, by aligning your strategies, actions, and messages. You can do this by developing a joint work plan, budget, and timeline that specifies the tasks, deliverables, and deadlines for each partner. You can also use online tools, such as shared calendars, documents, and folders, to facilitate information sharing and coordination.

5 Monitor and evaluate

The fifth step is to monitor and evaluate the progress and outcomes of the partnership, by collecting and analyzing data, feedback, and evidence. You can do this by setting up indicators, metrics, and tools that measure the impact and value of the partnership, both internally and externally. You can also conduct regular reviews, meetings, and reports that highlight the achievements, challenges, and lessons learned from the partnership.

6 Celebrate and sustain

The sixth step is to celebrate and sustain the partnership, by acknowledging and appreciating the efforts, contributions, and results of each partner. You can do this by organizing events, ceremonies, or awards that recognize and reward the partners for their work. You can also maintain and strengthen the partnership by seeking feedback, addressing issues, and exploring new opportunities for collaboration.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?