Projects and partnerships

Partnership working can be easily defined as two or more groups coming together to achieve a common purpose. It is not necessarily a 50/50 division of power or financial responsibility, but there is always some degree of sharing control and/or influence (Community Change 2010).

The key principles of partnership working are:

• openness;
• trust and honesty;
• agreed shared goals and values;
• regular communication between partners.

Partnership working is at the heart of the agenda for improving outcomes and making local services cost effective. “Partnerships are about recognising the value in each other”

Dr Hugh Annett 2012

A place-based partnership responds to local characteristics such as need, resources and networks. The advantages of working in this way are:

• Funding can be spread across the city;
• Leadership and change is built from within the area;
• Sustainability of services comes from supporting each other to succeed.