Think about why you want to collaborate – collaboration needs to be driven by a sensible need.
If you want to work with new partners, seek out organisations that complement your skills and objectives. Get recommendations from others who have worked with them.
Join a network that can support you in developing links. But don’t underestimate the time and energy required to create and nurture a partnership.
Don’t rush. Take time to build the relationship and make sure you have processes and partnership agreements in place before you undertake joint activities.
Think both short-term and long-term. It’s useful to have a short-term benefit, as it gets people round the table, but collaboration is about being in it for the long haul.
Think laterally and strategically. People sometimes work in silos – we need to be more visionary and think beyond the interests of our own organisations and about the interests of those we want to serve.
A clear, fair and transparent system for allocating funds to partners is essential.
Building up internal partnership goodwill is crucial (early internal and external mini-successes help). Set aside time for people to get to know each other.
Recognise that building a good partnership is extra work and that saying thank you is important.
Listen carefully to voices outside the partnership too. There’s a lot of benefit to be gained from hearing how other people perceive you.
Spend time with your key stakeholders to ensure they understand the full depth and vision of the partnership.
NCVO has announced today that it will partner with the Centre for Ageing Better to support its efforts to increase age-friendly inclusive volunteering in England.
Today the Small Charities Coalition (SCC) announced that the FSI (the Foundation for Social Improvement) and NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations) have come together to secure the SCC Helpdesk and other key services.