Partnering for the SDGs requires governance structures that can manage the often complicated, complex, and dynamic nature of multi-stakeholder engagement. This includes co-created decision-making procedures alongside allocated roles, responsibilities, and mandates. It also requires collaboration-attuned systems and procedures that will support implementation and accountability (both linear and horizontal in nature).
Feedback mechanisms, learning, and well planned moving on strategies that secure lasting impact are crucial. This requires a strong (business) case for change and ensuring that the work of the partnering activity is sufficiently and sustainably resourced. Funders (and other types of resource providers, including any non-cash resources provided by partners themselves or other stakeholders) need to take into account the fact that high-quality collaboration will require additional resources. In other words, it is not simply projects and activities that need resourcing but also the collaboration process itself.
FACTORS
To ensure effective Governance and Resourcing PEP recommends:
- Establishing inclusive and transparent decision-making structures
- Organising effective partnership management processes and working together to build partnering capacity
- Creating a sustainable business case for change
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READING
- Report: Caplan, K. Partnership Accountability – Unpacking the Concept.
- Report: Evans, E., J. McMahon & K. Caplan. The Partnership Paper chase: Structuring Partnership Agreements in Water and Sanitation in Low-Income Communities.
- Report: Hundal & Tennyson, Collaboration Critical Success Factors (Box 8, page 15).
- Report: Governing collaboration: Making partnerships accountable for delivering development. (2008)
- Report: the partnering logic of companies to develop a pro-active business case for sustainability, which combines intrinsic and extrinsic motives for engagement. See Van Tulder, Van Tilburg, Franken, Da Rosa (2014). Managing the transition to a sustainable enterprise, Earthscan
- Tool: Tennyson, Ros et al, The Partnering Toolbook (2005, revised 2013).
