Betwixt & Between

Topic: Stories from the front line

Browse Issues:
Issue #6, Issue #5, Issue #4, Issue #3, Issue #2, Issue #1

Abstract:  This article provides an overview of a review designed to evaluate and strengthen partnerships within a cluster of heritage organizations[1] in Newfoundland, Canada. This project took place at a time when a strong and sustainable partnership was becoming critical to the future survival of the cluster. It highlights the tools and techniques used by two external brokers[2] invited to review the cluster and its members to understand the current status and effectiveness of its internal partnerships[3]. The results of the review were used to guide and build the organization towards a new partnership model utilizing a combination of partnership brokering and community development best practices. The authors describe this process and the application of the review findings; and also highlight the intersection of these best practices and key lessons along the way. Reviewing as a Mechanism for Building Sustainable Partnerships:  A Heritage Partnership in Newfoundland and Labrador Introduction The Northern Peninsula Heritage Cluster is a network of local heritage organizations located on Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula. In 2010, these groups began working together to provide a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of visitor heritage experiences and interpretation in the region. In April 2012 and after hearing about the Partnership Brokering model and approach[4], the Heritage Cluster Co-ordinator and Advisory Group invited the authors of this paper, to assist... Read the article

Too little too late?

Abstract: This paper describes the case study of partnership between Ghanaian and Dutch private partners, the Ministry for Fisheries in Ghana, and the Dutch ministry for Development Cooperation of the Netherlands. The partnership was formed to undertake a project to establish a new commercial supply chain for fresh tuna and thereby address a number of social and environmental issues around the supply of tuna.  This project was not successful, and the paper explores some of the reasons for this from a partnership perspective. The case study explains the sometimes divergent interests and motivations... Read the article

Collective impact in the water sector

Abstract: In 2012, the Millennium Water Alliance (MWA) commissioned Improve International to conduct an independent evaluation of MWA’s programme effectiveness and provide quantifiable evidence and examples of the value-added (if any) of working in coalition to implement water, sanitation and hygiene programmes in the developing world.  The Collective Impact Report (Improve International, 2012) found one of the key added values of working in coalition was the clear improvement in all areas when the MWA began to be professionally managed by a partnership brokering unit.  Another key added value... Read the article