A Guide to Collaboration
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Understand what collaboration involves and explore six foundations to help make working together for social change more effective.
What is this guide and who is it for?
This guide from Collaborate CIC explains what collaboration is, why and when it matters, and what helps it work. It introduces six foundations for sustained collaboration for social change, with reflection questions and links to more detailed resources.
It is for people taking part in, or supporting, a collaboration. Community groups, teams and organisations can use it to reflect on how they work together and what they need to strengthen. It is an introductory framework, not a partnership agreement template or a step-by-step project plan.
What will I learn?
- Explore a collaborative mindset: recognising connections, staying curious and understanding the limits of your own perspective.
- Consider how healthy, trusting relationships help people work with different perspectives and address disagreements.
- Understand why a shared vision and purpose need collective input and ownership.
- Explore collaborative behaviours, including open communication, sharing power and mutual accountability.
- Use shared learning and different perspectives to reflect on progress and adapt your approach.
- Consider the infrastructure that supports collaboration, such as shared information, aligned resources, communications and governance.
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