Collaborative working

What is collaborative working?

Collaborative working - also known as joint or partnership working - covers a spectrum of ways that two or more organisations can work together. Options range from informal networks and alliances, through joint delivery of projects to full merger.

Collaborative working can last for a fixed length of time or can form a permanent arrangement. What these options have in common is that they involve some sort of exchange, for mutual advantage, that ultimately benefits end users.

In recent years, interest in collaborative working has been growing, driven by the sector's drive for effectiveness and efficiency, government policy and public opinion. Find out more about what collaborative working involves.

Working with others can offer opportunities to:

• Deliver new, improved or more integrated services.
• Make efficiency savings through sharing costs.
• Develop a stronger, more united voice.
• Share knowledge and information.

We have a range of resources to support you working collaboratively:

• FAQs on the most commonly asked questions
• Collaborative working case studies
• Good practice guidance
• Models of collaborative working

We also have guidance and signposting to more resources on joint public service delivery and merger.

New case study

Collaborate to compete - Developing consortia to deliver contracts (PDF 509 KB)

The Collaborative Learning Network 

The Collaborative Learning Network ran from 2010 to 2011 providing a space for learning and discussion on themes including, better use of resources and smarter working; delivering with less and achieving resilience and sustainability of services.  Themes included:

• Achieving resilience and sustainability of services
• Maximising collective impact
• Collaborative working; within and between organisations
• Better use of resources – smarter working; delivering with less
• Managing redesign of services and organisations 

View presentations from the Collaborative Learning Network

Looking for partners to collaborative with?

Perhaps you are looking for other organisations to work with to deliver a particular project, or to put in joint bids for funding and contract opportunities? The Partner Zone on the free website Funding Central can help you discover organisations to collaborate and discuss opportunities with.

Funding Central is a free smart website for the whole voluntary and community sector, including social enterprise, providing access to thousands of funding and finance opportunities, plus a wealth of tools and resources supporting organisations to develop sustainable income strategies.

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