Making Partnership Effective

Web-based knowledge resource on Making Partnerships Effective

The project on Making Partnerships Effective in Cambodia contributed to strengthening active partnerships and to learning about partnering in Cambodia. The project created also a wide-range of materials which remain applicable to ongoing partnership work in Cambodia.

Partnership-based approaches to sustainable development and to the MDGs are not new, but it is increasingly clear that genuine partnering is not a 'quick fix' or an easy option. In fact, partnering requires a significant adaptation of skills, systems and procedures for its contribution as a key delivery mechanism to be achieved. (Concept Note: Managing Complex Multi-Stakeholder Processes – Making Partnerships Effective in Cambodia)

The Making Partnerships Effective initiative began in June 2009, when CDRB /CDC commissioned The Partnering Initiative and VBNK to undertake a programme of work to strengthen development partnerships in Cambodia. (Report on the Project Making Partnerships Effective: Stage 1: Engagement and Inception)

Partnerships are not ‘business as usual’. They require some adjustments in practice and may even be perceived as ‘challenging’ to the status quo since they are based on a collaborative approach – building from the diversity of the different partners – rather than a more traditional ‘command and control’ scenario. (Background Reading Materials distributed to participants for preparation towards Strategic Meeting).

The Strategic Meeting (September 2009) was designed for the TWG leaders (with representatives from both the Royal Government of Cambodia and Development Partners), aimed at senior people involved in the TWGs, and focused on issues of leadership, strategy and systems. (Report on the Project Making Partnerships Effective: Stage 2 of the Project, Recommendations for Stages 3 and 4 and Products from Stage 2)

Several partnering tools were subsequently made available for supporting effective partnerships. (Self-Assessment; Partnership Review; Event Design; The Partnering Toolbook)

Since the end of 2009 a wide-range of actions have been taken by different Government and development agencies towards making their partnerships more effective since the initiative began. Most progress can be seen in terms of qualitative benefits. (Report on the Project Making Partnerships Effective: Stage 3)

The final stage of the Project on Making Partnerships Effective created a web-based knowledge resource, which has links to all the materials developed during the project on Making Partnerships Effective.

Lessons learnt need to be systematically brought into the partnership – leading to changes / revisions where needed. (Briefing Note on Partnership Principles and Supporting Results-Based Programmatic Approaches in Cambodia)

CRDB/CDC is able to provide all RGC ministries, agencies and TWGs with support to PBA development in the form of clinics. These will contextualise their use for the sector; examine how they can promote effectiveness, efficiency and results; identify measures to improve partnerships; and facilitate improved technical cooperation and capacity development practices.

Ministries, agencies or TWGs requiring support are invited to contact CRDB/CDC.

Web-based knowledge resource - Making Partnerships Effective in Cambodia

Introductory and Background Information Materials
		Focus 1: Why are we talking about partnerships? The rationale and motivation for emphasising partnership is grounded in commitments towards impactful strategies and goals for aid effectiveness. There are several preceding initiatives that laid the ground for effective partnerships. Download PowerPoint File in English Download PowerPoint File in Khmer
		Managing Complex Multi-Stakeholder Processes – Making Partnerships Effective in Cambodia (CRDB/CDC Concept Note, (25 March 2009) Brief description on the background in Cambodia. Explanation about deriving value from a partner based approach, and establishing a basis for more effective partnering in Cambodia. Download PDF file in English
		*Briefing Note on Partnership Principles* *CRDB/CDC* (March 2007, and amended April 2009) This note provides guidance that is intended to ensure a consistent and efficient approach to developing Partnership Principles. In particular, this Note helps to ensure that Partnership Principles promote ownership, partnership and a focus on achieving results that are linked to the NSDP. Download PDF file in English
Consultation and Diagnosis
		Focus 2: Project on Making Partnerships Effective in Cambodia The project began in June 2009 with a stress on consultation and dialogue, which was followed by the design and facilitation of the Strategic Meeting on making partnerships effective. This stage was followed by a review of actions taken by TWGs. The final stage was on documentation of knowledge for future work, e.g. partnerships and programme based approaches. Download PowerPoint File in English Download PowerPoint File in Khmer
		Report on Stage 1 of the Project Making Partnerships Effective, Inception Paper (30 June 2009) The engagement and inception phase of the project reviewed various background documents and undertook a large number of 1-1 and group discussions to analyse strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the status and effectiveness of Government and Development Partnerships. Download PDF file in English
		Summary SWOT analysis of the current status of the various TWG partnerships (August 2009) Views of RGC and Development Partners drawn from one-to-one and small group discussions during stage 1 of the project. Download PDF file in English Download PDF file in Khmer
		Summary of Self-Assessment - Understanding your TWG (September 2009) Typically, partnerships have phases. Government and development partners assessed their TWG to help understanding where the TWG is in the partnership cycle. This, in turn, will allow partners to identify what their capacities and needs are and what they can do to develop and maintain the partnership over time. Download PDF file in English Download PDF file in Khmer
		Summary of Perspectives - What each partner brings to the TWG (September 2009) As part of preparation for the "Strategic Meeting" partners answered four questions: (1) What do you bring to the TWG partnership? (2) What else should you bring to the TWG partnership? (3) What do your partners bring to the TWG? (4) What else would you like your partners to bring to the TWG? Download PDF file in English Download PDF file in Khmer
Design and Facilitate a Strategic Meeting
		Focus 3: Developing a common understanding about partnerships Awareness about and practices for partnering were wide-ranging in Cambodia. Consultation led to building a common theoretical base on what is meant by partnering, how to establish and maintain partnerships, and how to encourage equity, transparency and mutual benefits. Download PowerPoint File in English Download PowerPoint File in Khmer
		Background Reading Materials (September 2009) A. The Challenges of Partnering B. Working Together The reading materials were distributed to the participants of the "Strategic Meeting". The paper has a narrative explanation about partnering. Also, there is a summary of the SWOT results. Download PDF file in English Download PDF file in Khmer
		A Guide to discussing and learning about partnerships (Slide set originally developed for participants’ preparation prior to the Strategic Meeting, September 2009.) Download PowerPoint file in English Download PowerPoint file in Khmer
		Report on Stage 2 of the Project, Recommendations for Stages 3 and 4 and Products from Stage 2 (30 September 2009) The focus for Stage 2 of the project was on the Strategic Meeting, which was designed for the TWG leaders (with representatives from both the Royal Government of Cambodia and Development Partners). It was aimed at senior people involved in the TWGs and focused on issues of leadership, strategy and systems. Download PDF file in English
Support and Review Progress
	Focus 4: What are we learning about TWG partnerships in Cambodia? A SWOT analysis and subsequent tracking of actions taken by TWGs helped describe commonly held perspectives of Government and Development Partners. Also, the reporting led to defining future opportunities for building on success. Download PowerPoint File in English Download PowerPoint File in Khmer
	Report on Stage 3 of the Project (09 August 2010) This report describes support provided and identifies specific actions that have been taken by different Government and development agencies towards making their partnerships more effective since the initiative began. Most progress can be seen in terms of qualitative benefits. Download PDF file in English
	Focus 5: Tools and approaches for partnerships in Cambodia There are a range of tools to influence making partnerships effective. Drawn from experience in Cambodia, as well as global initiatives, there are tools for self-assessment, replicating a strategic meeting, and establishing and managing partnerships. Download PowerPoint file in English Download PowerPoint file in Khmer
	Self Assessment Tools: 1. Understanding your TWG – Where are you in the partnering cycle? 2. What is each partner’s perspective on what is brought into the partnership? Download PDF file in English Download PDF file in Khmer
	TWG Partnership Review Tool TWG Partnership Review tool is designed to help review a partnership to assess whether it is achieving the goals and expectations of the individual partner organisations. It is essentially a health check of the partnership rather than a more formal audit or evaluation of the programme of work that the partners have undertaken. Download PDF file in English
	Event Design Tool The Event Design tool is designed to help develop initiatives to engage with a wider group of Government officials, development partners and others (including NGOs and business) to build a stronger partnering culture and potential for innovation through greater diversity of representation Download PDF file in English There are also the PowerPoint presentations used for Day 1 and Day 2 (Strategic Meeting, September 2009). Download PowerPoint file in English Download PowerPoint file in Khmer
	The Partnering Toolbook Section 1. Partnering challenge (rationale, obstacles, values, leadership); Section 2. Building partnerships (identifying partners, assessing risks, resource mapping); Section 3. Partnering agreements; Section 4. Managing the partnering process; Section 5. Delivering successful projects (reporting, reviewing and revising); Section 6. Sustaining partnerships; Section 7. Successful partnering (defining success, sharing good experiences, collaboration) Plus eight toolss in the format of checklists, questionnaires and samples. Download PDF file in English Download PDF file in Khmer
Further Application of Partnering Principles
	Focus 6: Lessons Learned – Moving Forward with Partnerships Several factors surfaced through the experiences made in Cambodia. Successes have been influenced by "taking time to digest understanding and practice … ongoing trust and relationship building … ongoing dialogue … common values … a focus on capacity building … measuring tangible results … influencing aid effectiveness and programme based approaches …" Download PowerPoint File in English Download PowerPoint File in Khmer
	Focus 7: Establishing Programme Based Approaches Partnerships are a catalyst for the success of PBAs. Cambodia has accumulated significant experience working with partnerships, and this collaboration and insight have potential for positively influencing PBAs. Download PowerPoint File in English Download PowerPoint File in Khmer
	Supporting Results-Based Programmatic Approaches in Cambodia (CRDB/CDC Concept Note, October 2010, endorsed by GDCC) At the third CDCF meeting in June 2010, RGC and its development partners endorsed the PBA and agreed to move forward with their development in order to maximise the combined impact of domestic resources and external development assistance. CRDB/CDC is prepared to provide technical advice and practical support to any RGC Ministry, agency or TWG that requires assistance in establishing or developing a programme-based approach. Download PDF file in English