“In conservation, we don’t have much time with the looming climate crisis. We cannot do it alone. We need to partner, nobody can do it alone. You need local communities, you need the government, private sector and more. We need to partner in better and more equal ways, and to resource those partnerships fairly as well. We need to be inspired by good partnership stories so we replicate what’s working well.”

-Wanjira Maathai, Managing Director of Africa and Global Partnerships at the World Resources Institute

At Maliasili, we define a partnership as a commitment from two or more parties to work together to achieve a set of jointly defined results. We also expect that partners should have an equal voice in discussions and decisions, and that the relationship is mutually beneficial to all parties.

Conservation success cannot be achieved by a singular organization or individual. It requires partnerships and collaborations at various levels and with diverse organizations.

Such partnerships include:

• International-local partnerships: These involve collaborations between international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) and local organizations.

• Community-based partnerships: These involve conservation organizations and local communities working towards shared conservation and livelihood goals. 

• Government-NGO partnerships: Governments and NGOs teaming up to develop and implement policies, regulations, and projects that promote conservation.

• Public-private partnerships: Businesses and conservation organizations work together to balance environmental sustainability with economic interests. 

• Research and academic partnerships: Conservationists collaborate with academic institutions to conduct research, gather data, and develop innovative solutions.

• And many other combinations of the above!

We know partnerships are vital, so what causes them to fail?

While collaboration and strategic partnerships are fundamental to improving conservation outcomes, there are just as many failed partnerships as successful ones. But why? In our latest report, Rooting for Change, here is what was identified as some barriers to effective partnerships.

• Unclear intentions

• External agendas or agendas that don’t align

• Lack of appreciation for local context, knowledge, and experience

• Confusion on roles within specific partnerships

• Differing expectations

• Weak communication

• Lack of meaningfully sharing credit for achievements

• Exhausting and complicated administrative procedures

• Short-term approaches to partnerships

• Lack of trust and respect

• Power imbalances

What goes right that makes partnerships work?

Here are practical tips that can help improve your existing collaborations and build stronger ones over time.

Make your partnerships intentional →

What do you need the partnership to help you achieve? Successful collaboration needs the power of intention. Explore and identify the gaps and opportunities - begin by thoroughly assessing your efforts and objectives, and pinpoint areas where additional expertise, funding, resources, collaboration etc, could create more impact. Make sure to leverage each other's strengths. Don’t partner just for ‘partnership’ sake. Make sure it’s worthwhile and valuable to both parties involved.
   

Agree on a common goal/goals →

Establish a shared vision and mutual goals for the partnership. Ensure that these objectives align with your broader mission and vision as a team. Revise and reevaluate these goals regularly with your partner to adapt to changing circumstances or emerging opportunities and ensure they are still relevant and true for you both.  

Ensure you have shared values →

When values are not aligned, working together becomes difficult. Shared values provide a strong ethical and moral foundation. Do all partnerships put people at the center of conservation efforts? Does strong accountability matter? What about professionalism? Before entering into any partnership, working through these types of questions are essential to ensure transparency and alignment.
 

Trust takes work - don’t assume it will ‘just happen’ →

Trust is the foundation for any successful partnership - and it’s important to consistently work to build it. Do you do what you say you will do? Do you mean what you say? Do you continuously fulfill your partnership commitments? And when trust is broken or compromised, it’s important to come together as partners and find ways to mend it. Actively investing what may be required to build trust is a critical element of collaboration; and often overlooked.  

Engage skillful facilitation and coordination →

The capacity to effectively facilitate processes is critical for successful collaboration. Managing group dynamics - building trust and relationships amongst participants as well as holding space for different actors with different levels of power and perspectives requires skill and should be invested in. 

 
Clarify roles and responsibilities →

Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each partner within the collaboration to avoid ambiguity and duplication of roles. Where possible, create a partnership agreement or memorandum of understanding (MOU) that outlines these roles, responsibilities, and expectations.

Prioritize communications →

Open, routine and transparent communication is the foundation of working partnerships. Establish regular channels for communication and encourage all partners to exchange updates, discuss challenges, and celebrate successes. Adapt to use the best methods for all partners involved to ensure regular and easy information flow, e.g. WhatsApp, emails, phone calls, video chats, etc.. Promote a culture of trust and cooperation by actively listening to each other's viewpoints and being responsive to feedback.  

Encourage innovation and creativity →

Not all partnerships should look or be shaped the same way - be open to exploring new approaches and unconventional ideas, and foster an environment that inspires innovation and creative problem-solving within the partnership. Flexibility is essential; adapt to changing circumstances and pivot when necessary. Embrace a culture of learning from both accomplishments and setbacks.  

Build relationships, not transactions →

View partnerships as enduring relationships, not short-term transactions. Invest in really building trust and mutual respect. Celebrate achievements together and acknowledge each partner's contributions. Understand that cultivating lasting relationships requires time and dedication.  

Monitor, evaluate, adapt and grow →

Establish shared ways that success will be measured and reported to gauge the progress and impact of the partnership. Routinely assess the partnership's effectiveness - are you achieving what you set out to achieve? If not, what are the challenges? What new learning is emerging? If the partnership is progressing well, what is helping you accomplish this, and how can you sustain it? 

We all know that partnerships aren't easy, and many require long-term commitment. This calls for organizations to remain adaptable and open to change as the partnership evolves. Ensure you give and receive constant feedback, and remain open to expanding partnerships to explore new chapters. 

An effective partnership checklist

This tool from Rooting for Change can help you initiate the thought process on approaching and sustaining meaningful and effective partnerships.

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