Giving Compass' Take:

• Renuka Motihar from India Development Review outlines how organizations can come together to form effective alliances and networks to increase their impact.

• Are there other methods for organizations to find effective partners? Which partnerships have resulted in impactful work? 

• Learn more about collective impact.

Alliance, networks, and coalitions are terms used continuously today in the social sector, sometimes interchangeably. They illustrate coming together, partnerships and the collective voice of organizations and individuals.

However, while we often hear of alliances forming, few of them sustain; some even die. It makes one reflect on what makes these surviving alliances work. What are the key elements that have kept them alive and thriving for so many years?

1. Strong leadership and a secretariat:

Members are busy and don’t have enough time to be involved in the day-to-day operations of an alliance. That’s why there needs to be a committed secretariat that supports the implementation work of the alliance and plays a coordinating and leadership role.

2. Common purpose, ownership, and trust:

There is a need for a realistic and clear vision, as well as goals and objectives that make the alliance stand out in the larger environment.

3. Regular planning and stock-taking:

To be clear on what the alliance wants to achieve, there needs to be a strategic plan in place for three to five years. Continuous planning, stock-taking, joint learning and sharing responsibility are critical to ensuring sustainability.

4. Diverse membership and regular engagement.

Building and sustaining a diverse membership from the bottom-up at the district, state and national level is critical.

5. A “We more than I” attitude.

An alliance comes together because there is power in numbers.

Read the full article about alliances and networks by Renuka Motihar at India Development Review.