The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988 Level of confidentiality

Partnerships

Getting the right balance

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The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988

COPING – A Case Study

The COPING Consortium involves ten partner agencies working in six countries (Germany, France, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland

and the UK) and across five languages

The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988

Partners

England University of Huddersfield

Germany Dresden University of Technology

Romania Universitatea Alexandru Ioan Cuza

Sweden KarolinskaInstitute

France Eurochips

POPS

Treffpunkt

Alternative Sociale Association

Ryksbriggan

Switzerland QUNO

The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988

The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988

On equality…

• Understand your role

• Be clear about boundaries

• If you have a lead role, lead, don’t dominate

• Don’t underestimate your partners

The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988

Luck or design…

1. Select partners for the strengths they bring to the project

2. Developing partnerships just for the project is sometimes necessary but risky, not always appreciated by funders

3. Build on existing links if you can (COPING did all three)

4. Effective partnerships involve a measure of luck

5. Like any relationship, partnership working requires work, flexibility and compromise

The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988

Different contributions

• Partners contribute different things:– Money– Staff time– Expertise– Facilities– Networks– Reputation/credibility– Specific skills

• Universities often over-estimate the value of their contribution and underestimate the contribution of others

• Acknowledge when you have the balance wrong

The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988

Partner’s history…

In addition to technical or organisational strengths does the person you will be working with have:

• Good interpersonal skills • Insight• Knowledge• The ability to appreciate the expertise of others• A history of successful delivery• Ability to handle agreed responsibilities • Is there compatibility

The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988

Leadership…

• Partnerships need leadership… lead

• Communicate, consult but know when you need to be decisive

• Be attune to sensitivities and sensibilities

• Be proactive and confront apparent inequalities in the partnership – you may not be able to resolve challenges but your efforts will be appreciated

• Language, culture and social context must be taken into account

The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988

Building together…

• Effective partnership working is the basis of all successful projects

• Consolidate what you build together

• Pay attention to the social glue that cements relationships

• Give credit and attribute project gains fairly

• Promote partners’ logo’s and organisational brands whenever you can

• Be respectful

The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988

POPS

COPING NGO Role - UK

The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988

Phases of partnership working

Phase One – Bringing People Together

• Define roles, responsibilities and outcomes• Seek to achieve shared commitment to clearly

articulated goals• Facilitate open debate and encourage the

expression of difference• Assess personalities and strengths• Establish agreement about the need to cooperate

The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988

Phase Two - Building the Foundation

• Learn, assess, and build trust• Deal with anxieties and clarify responsibilities• Provide support – make it personal• Share learning and early gains• Establish effective communication systems• Pay attention to project objectives and deliverables

and give sufficient notice to partners to meet deadlines

The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988

Phase Three - Developing and Sustaining the Partnership

• Make sure that all parties are benefitting• Recognise and address partner concerns• Hold partners to account for not meeting deadlines

but help to problem solve• Keep partners engaged • Be patient and persistent• Respect partners’ time and organisational demands• Partnerships are political… live with it• Get to know each other personally

The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988

Passing on…

• Reflect and learn• Pass on knowledge

and experience• Create opportunities

where you can• Facilitate team work• Recognise

excellence

The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988

www.coping-project.eu