{"id":230016,"date":"2024-11-20T08:11:51","date_gmt":"2024-11-20T13:11:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalgiving.org\/learn\/?p=230016"},"modified":"2024-11-27T07:46:07","modified_gmt":"2024-11-27T12:46:07","slug":"building-equitable-partnerships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalgiving.org\/learn\/building-equitable-partnerships\/","title":{"rendered":"The Liberating Power Of Equitable Partnerships"},"content":{"rendered":"

Building “equitable partnerships” might seem like just another buzzword in the nonprofit sector\u2014but its true meaning is far more powerful, especially within the context of the Shift the Power<\/a> and decolonizing philanthropy<\/a> movements.<\/p>\n

As the legacy of colonialism and profit-driven models of development continue to perpetuate global injustices, the urgency to address these inequalities has never been greater. Equitable partnerships are not just an ideal\u2014but a critical tool in this fight for justice.<\/p>\n

The social sector also now widely understands that collaboration among organizations, with each bringing unique expertise and perspectives, offers tremendous value. By championing each other\u2019s strengths, supporting areas of need, and amplifying our collective efforts, we can more effectively serve the communities we work with. But translating these ideals into practice is no easy feat\u2014especially when each organization comes with vastly different contexts, resources, and skill sets.<\/p>\n

Central to this journey towards justice is the pursuit of equity in our partnerships at GlobalGiving.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As program practitioners, we wanted to understand: what does “equitable partnerships” look like in practice and what everyday shifts are required to make them a reality?<\/p>\n

At their core, equitable partnerships are about shared power, trust, and mutual respect. Local partners, who understand the community context and culture best, must have ownership of program direction and activity. It\u2019s not just about working together\u2014it\u2019s about creating relationships where all partners, regardless of size or resources, are truly valued and seen. <\/p>\n

The Assets, Agency & Trust (AAT) Program<\/a> was funded by USAID and took place in the Philippines. It set out to test the concept of equitable partnerships. Unsurprisingly, it was discovered that disrupting traditional practices requires time, effort, value alignment, mindset shifts, honest communication<\/a>, flexibility, and a great deal of trust. Building trust between organizations can be challenging. But it ultimately enables us to let go of control, leverage our strengths, and elevate our collective work to new levels\u2014which can be liberating for all partners involved.<\/p>\n