Effective Partnerships

An example in water capacity development

Kees LeendertseZaragoza, 13/01.2014

Outline

• The global partnership• Types of partnership• What do they do?• What makes them work?• What are challenges• In summary

The global partnership

Types of partnerships:

Partner networks International partners Global thematic partnerships

What do they do?

Partner networks International partners Global thematic networks Deliver capacity

development activities through member organisations

Coordinate elements of the global partnership

Contribute knowledge to capacity development material

Contribute to capacity development materials

Facilitate in global rolling out of programmes

Pick up and disseminate programmes through their respective networks

Contribute to the global network with topical inputs

Bring in partners worldwide for enhancing programmes and materials

Roll out programmes through their partners in collaboration with affiliated networks

What are effective partnerships? What makes them work?

Define specific interests (climate change, groundwater, energy)

Analyse who is on the ground: who is doing what Trust and ownership: jointly own strengths and

weaknesses Develop clear MoUs with annual work plans Voluntary: partners have a commitment the drive to push

partnerships forward Focus on collaboration rather than competition: clear

understanding of distinctions & roles within the partnership– common interests

SMART (Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Realistic and Time related) Partnerships – be relevant and innovative (demand-driven & flexible)

Who does what?

What are challenges; how can partnerships improve?

Communication: need to have a balanced 2- way communication – beyond emails (need feedback) timely responses – delayed communication affects performance

Ensure access of knowledge and material to everyone (partners on the ground) – information sharing

Evaluate the partnership regularly – measure effectiveness: outputs and results

Financial sustainability Define management of the partnership clearly Increase visibility – promoting the partnerships and

their objectives/mandates

Transparency and direction

Assessing partnerships Focus on organizational change within a larger group of

organizations rather than single partners Need to be clear on goals and indicators – what can be

measured and what can be described Goals should be designed based on objectives and not

whether they can be measured, and thus measurable indicators need to be defined

Change is a result of various actions shared between partners and not single force

Impact can be a result of long term institutional engagement – where challenges can change from one moment to another. There is a need to respond to various challenges over a long period of time to ensure impact is sustained

Attribution – separate outputs from results

In summary

Partnerships: Represent opportunities and challenges Building on strengths of partners for enhanced knowledge and

further outreach Transparency is key; sharing of responsibilities as well Relevance and results are to be assessed regularly

If you want to go fast – go alone, If you want to go far – get a partner.

www.cap-net.org

Thank you