Laying the groundwork for partnership
Partnerships originate in ways that require different types of background preparation. A partnership might begin with the idea of a national foundation's staff member or the priority of a national foundation's board. There could be a demand for the expansion of an existing foundation program. The Soros foundations may conceive of an initiative but lack the capacity or will to fully fund or implement the program. A national foundation and other donors in a program area may come together seeking coordination and partnership. A pressing need or crisis may call for partnership. A government or another donor may approach a national foundation seeking funding, expertise or program collaboration. A successful program that has been funded mainly by the Soros foundations may be ready to become an independent NGO funded by multiple donors.
Whatever the origin of a partnership or program initiative, it is necessary for the Soros foundations to lay some groundwork:
Laying this groundwork helps to define or refine your ideas about a program and possible partnerships. It can clarify what the national foundation will aim to do and what it will not aim to do. Solid preparation also forms a basis for a convincing project proposal and well-informed negotiation of a partnership.
Identify and interview those individuals or groups who have an interest or "stake" in the area in which you will work. Stakeholders might be government officials, community leaders, other NGOs, organizations, enterprises, parents, or others that would be involved or affected. Meet with the stakeholders individually to seek advice and perspective. Bring together a roundtable of stakeholder representatives for discussion of the problem, initiative, or potential partnership. These contacts can be valuable if you decide to form an advisory group for your partnership project.
Gather data and analyses of the problem or area in which you are working. Information might be available from local researchers, government offices, international organizations, or other donors. Find out what is already being done by the Soros foundations network or other organizations in your country and perhaps in other countries. Identify the main actors in the area. This background information may be useful later on, in support of a project proposal or in deciding on a structure for the partnership.
Make contact with individual donors. Interview them in their offices and go to their project sites. Ask for documentation about their programs. Find out about any donor coordination meetings or existing networks. If none exist, consider organizing one - on your own or with another donor. A donor coordination meeting can be informal; it might begin with an exploratory meeting or get-together at the national foundation's office. Seek referrals or suggestions of donors who are not yet active but may be interested in becoming involved.
Obtain advice, referrals, and support from knowledgeable colleagues and board members in your foundation. Find out if there is relevant expertise in other national foundations or regional programs of the Soros foundations network.
