The Road Ahead

Our analysis of the major opportunities and challenges facing the voluntary sector in 2024. Learn more

Top tips for collaboration

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  • 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.

Last reviewed: 15 March 2016

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This page was last reviewed for accuracy on 15 March 2016

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