© 2010 Local Government Alliance for International Development
| Finding and choosing a partner |
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There is no single model for international partnerships. They can take many forms and, indeed, rightly so as the exact type of partnership needs to reflect the circumstances of the respective partners. Their ultimate aims include improving efficiency and value for money, encouraging collaboration on global issues such as poverty and environmental degradation, strengthening local democracy and raising global awareness. Whatever the nature of the partnership, they all seek to promote mutual support and benefit, and care in finding and choosing a partner is essential. |
International partnerships can be directly between councils in the UK and their counterparts overseas or they can be between other parties, such as schools, businesses, and communities overseas.>>Find out how
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Some local councils will be seeking a partner while others will already have international partners. For both, preparation, implementation and review are all key to creating an optimal partnership. Before entering into a partnership, both sides should have a clear idea about why they are doing so. Your council’s international development strategy (see developing a strategy) should provide a clear starting point. This rationale, or vision, should also apply to existing and long standing partnerships, where there needs to be an understanding of why the link is maintained. Once you have a clear idea of why you are seeking a partner, think through what this means for who the partner might be – see the toolkit tips section for some ideas on this. In addition, there are places you can turn to for help in finding a partner. Click on the resources tab for more information. International partnerships can relate to specific subjects and, in choosing a partner, consideration should be given to each partner's priorities and strengths. A partnership will work well if areas of excellence or experience are identified at the outset. |
>>Case studies
Cardiff's International Partner Assessment Matrix
The focus of Cardiff’s International Policy is to support the Council in developing links with international networks and cities with similar aspirations and facing similar challenges, and to develop funded projects which reflect the Council’s objectives, and ultimately, the needs and aspirations of the citizens of Cardiff. An ‘international partner assessment matrix’ has been developed to support this work, firstly as a database of all cities that Cardiff have worked with and secondly as a means to prioritise partner cities which most closely reflect the needs of Cardiff. In essence, Cardiff’s approach is to identify funding streams match the city's aspirations – then utilise existing links to build partnerships and international projects.
>>Self assessment
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1 What do you want to achieve from the partnership, both generally and specifically? 2 Do you want to work with a local authority or community similar to your own, or can you gain from working with somewhere of a different size or with different characteristics? 3 How will you accommodate the expectations and aims of the potential partner? 4 How will you work with your partner on a practical level? Are you clear about frequency, level and nature of work? Is there a need for formal working protocols? 5 Do you feel able to communicate well with each other? Can you respect each other's differences, reach compromises and achieve all your respective aims? |
>>Tips
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+ Start by thinking through the criteria for partner selection that spring from your service and community context and from the priorities in your international strategy. + Add to this any leads and other criteria that come from a review of potential other sources of information on potential partners. These sources include:
See the resources section for contacts. + Prepare a list of potential partners, gather relevant information about them, prepare a profile of each and, from this, decide on a shortlist. + Hold exploratory talks with potential partners to explore areas of common interest, check assumptions and see if you want to take things forward. + Follow up with visits to discuss individual aims and objectives for the partnership and to ensure there is consensus on the way forward before making a final decision. Both parties should take time before a visit to draw up a list of key questions and queries and undertake some basic research on each other's culture. It is also important to get a feel for how partners would work together on a detailed project – perhaps use scenarios to outline how you would each want to approach things. + Make the relationship official through an appropriate charter or agreement. Agree a strategic plan for your activities and projects with your partner (see partnership strategic plan section), together with funding possibilities and a flexible timetable. Communicate your aims and objectives to secure support and participation by politicians, officers and the wider community and invite input. |
>>Resources
Interaction factsheet
Practicalities of International Partnerships - taken from Take your Partners, Local Government Association (formerly Local Government International Bureau) 2006
Guide
Take your Partners handbook - handbook produced by the Local Government Association in 2006 (formerly Local Government International Bureau), which aims to give councils guidance on how to manage international partnerships in order to realise the most benefits.
Useful link
UKOWLA toolkit for Good Practice - The One World Linking Association (UKOWLA) have developed a toolkit for community linking, which covers in detail the principles of linking and partnerships and guidance on starting and sustaining international links.
Online partner search - International twinning and partnership for development, Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR)