Stronger Together: A toolkit for partnerships in and beyond Development Education

‘The recent rise of the far right has been partially attributed to the failure of progressive civil society to adequately reach, engage and involve many more marginalised communities. Those fed up with a status quo of global turbulence and inequality have been specifically targeted by groups seeking to create division. There are worrying similarities to the rhetoric that brought fascist leaders to power, in Europe and elsewhere, in earlier decades.

Issues arising from inequality, climate change and migration are increasingly affecting people in Ireland and around the world. Civil Society is facing the challenge of how to enable and support greater public engagement on these issues and create meaningful change.

In this context, moving beyond silos or what can be seen as ‘safe bubbles’ is essential if Development Education is to be relevant and effective in the new era. Investing time, energy and resources in working with grassroots groups and communities who are being left behind needs to be a priority.’

Stronger Together: A toolkit for partnerships in and beyond Development Education is designed to help people working in development education to understand, establish and manage partnerships. It explores working in partnership within the sector, and how members can also develop partnerships beyond their traditional focus.

• The first half of the toolkit will help practitioners to understand what working in partnership is, and some of the key benefits and potential pitfalls
• The second half sets out practical advice on establishing and maintaining successful partnerships
• This resource has been developed in consultation with several IDEA member organisations and staff members, and provides testimonies of existing partnership work in the sector.

Contents:

• Defining Partnership
• Working in Partnership
• Potential Pitfalls
• Finding a Partner
• Forming Partnerships
• Sustaining Successful Partnerships
• Further information (Bridge 47; case studies; sample email pitch)