TOOLS FOR ADVOCATING CHANGE

4. Building Coalitions, Alliances and Partnerships

Description of the Tool

The first part of the tool provides information on coalitions, alliances and partnerships including definition of terms, benefits, factors and barriers to success, and tips in establishing a coalition. Part Two is a process for building coalitions, alliances and partnerships. Note: in different cultures and languages, the words ‘coalitions, alliances and partnerships’ vary in meaning. Refer to the definition below for how the words are used in this tool.

When to Use it?

  • When you want to get other people and/or organisations to work with you on change
  • When you need other resources, e.g., people, money, expertise, to bring about the changes necessary to make sport fairer for girls and women
  • When you want to reduce duplication caused by more than one organisation doing similar activities in order to produce similar results
  • See Benefits of establishing coalitions, alliances and partnerships in section 1a below.

Format

Part One can be used as a simple handout or small presentation to help people understand coalition, alliance and partnership building. Part Two is a process done as a work sheet. The process may be modified for your own circumstances.

Tool

Definition: a partnership, alliance or coalition is defined as a relationship in which two or more parties, with shared goals, agree to do something together.

Back to top

1a. Benefits of establishing coalitions, alliances and partnerships

  • Increase lobbying ability and influence
  • Eliminate duplication or overlap amongst similar groups
  • Find solutions to complex issues
  • Involve more people and resources in accomplishing common goals
  • Do more or better with less by sharing costs, skills and/or programs
  • Combine efforts to take advantage of opportunities
  • Make use of shared knowledge, skills and resources.

1b. Factors for a successful coalition, alliance or partnership

  • Common interests and goals
  • Understand and respect each other and their environment
  • Open to doing things differently
  • Clear benefits for all partners or members
  • Regular and open communication
  • Shared leadership.

1c. Barriers to successful coalitions, alliances and partnerships

  • Uneven levels of commitment
  • Power imbalances
  • Lack of sharing of information
  • Imbalance in benefits to partners
  • Conflicts over scope of activities
  • Absence of a common framework
  • Internal politics
  • Inability of partners to make shared decisions
  • Lack of management and communication structure
  • Ulterior motives or different interests.
1d. Tips for establishing partnerships, alliances and coalitions
  • Look for common ground – issues bring people together
  • Focus on the positive; work to change the negative
  • Develop personal relationships
  • Build partnerships through shared interests, values and vision
  • Have a plan that is easy to understand and initiate
  • Keep people informed and involved
  • Recognise and thank all involved
  • Celebrate and share successes
  • Don’t get trapped in petty issues – keep the big picture in mind

Back to top

Part 2: Worksheet for Building Coalitions, Alliances or Partnerships

Step One: Getting People to the Table

Define common issue or problem.

Identify potential partners (who could participate?)

 

Develop commitment and understanding to common vision and goals

Identify leadership

 

Identify resources to support the partnership, e.g., people, money


Step Two: Direction Setting

Establish fair process and sharing of power

Explore options for action

 

Establish the agenda for the group’s work

Develop clear understanding of roles and responsibilities

Agree on course of action


Step Three: Implementation

Build support in partner organisations for action plan

Ensure regular communication on progress

Celebrate successes

Monitor and evaluate; adjust action as needed

 

Commit to renew, revise partnership, or bring to a conclusion

 

Back to top