Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are collaborations between international organizations, businesses, civil society actors, and public sector entities that agree to work closely together to address a societal challenge.
Beyond addressing limited resources, organizations engage in PPPs for various reasons, such as:
- Tackling complex and intensive problems
- Responding to the globalization and rapid spread of social and environmental issues
- Leveraging the growing influence of corporations
- Harnessing contributions from civil society
While these challenges may push an organization toward forming a PPP, there are key steps to follow before entering into such a partnership.
Step 1: Consider the Partnering Lifecycle
The partnering lifecycle consists of three phases:
| Phase | Process |
| Preparation | Identifying stakeholders, defining the problem, building relationships, and designing governance structures |
| Implementing | Executing the plan with continuous monitoring and evaluation |
| Review | Learning from experiences and making necessary adjustments |
Step 2: Develop the Preparation Phase in Detail
After considering the lifecycle, the organization should create detailed plans for the preparation phase. This includes:
- Aligning both parties’ understanding of the problem and agreeing on a shared definition
- Holding joint workshops or facilitated discussions to ensure a common interpretation of the issue
- Navigating both explicit and implicit interests by openly sharing expectations, identifying potential areas of conflict early, and documenting shared priorities
To foster trust and cooperation within the partnership, practical actions include:
- Setting up regular check-in meetings to maintain consistent communication
- Using transparent decision-making processes that allow all stakeholders to contribute
- Establishing clear, written agreements to avoid misunderstandings
- Demonstrating reliability by delivering on commitments early in the relationship
Step 3: Design the Operational and Governance Structures
This step involves:
- Identifying key players
- Defining core activities and services to be delivered
- Maintaining effective communication and facilitating information sharing
- Establishing clear roles and responsibilities for each party
It also includes developing essential documents, such as:
- Monitoring and Evaluation Plan Template (from Tools4Dev)
- Risk Management Plan Template to prepare for and monitor risks
- Governance Framework Template to guide oversight and decision-making
- Other operational guidelines to ensure coordination and accountability
Step 4: Ensure Transparency and Accountability
Transparency and accountability are achieved by:
- Maintaining a steady flow of coordination
- Keeping all parties informed and involved
- Encouraging feedback and being flexible enough to make adjustments
A well-structured monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system ensures that no one is left in the dark, strengthening accountability throughout the process. For more insights, see 10 Reasons Why Monitoring and Evaluation is Important on Tools4Dev.
