LOCAL ENGAGEMENT & PARTNERSHIPS
Local partnerships are built through deliverables
A relationship opens a dialogue. Its value within a project then depends on the work performed, its traceability and clear responsibilities.
Give the local role concrete substance
We view local engagement as a working capability to be built. Understanding stakeholders, gathering useful information and following discussions require a method. The number of contacts or countries listed is insufficient to describe that capability.
In our view, a local contribution should be expressed through observable tasks: preparing a meeting, documenting a field question, coordinating a visit or tracking outstanding responses. An agreed scope allows other partners to understand which outputs they can rely on.
Maintain continuity of information
A project develops over time, with teams that may change. We favour brief meeting records, identifiable sources and tracking of next actions. Important information should be understandable to someone who did not participate in the first conversation.
Consider an illustrative situation: a visit reveals a site access constraint. A useful deliverable would specify the observed difficulty, available evidence and the verification to arrange. Passing that information to the technical team would allow it to be included in the project review.
Make responsibilities clear
Our approach distinguishes discussions, preparatory work and formal commitments. An institutional relationship may help clarify a context; it should not be presented as an authorisation or a mandate. Project communications should reflect the actual stage of discussions.
We believe trust grows when partners can review completed work and identify outstanding points. We want this continuity between the stated role, deliverables and follow-up to sit at the centre of local partnerships.
FURTHER READING
Subsaharan Group · Our approach ↗
.jpg){kind=link}