Ways of Working
Governance
Establishing governance structures
Governance structures embed partnership approaches and principles, and are a vital part of ensuring the partnership and the organizations involved in it are accountable.- Design management structures that foster inclusivity and representation. Distribute ownership across different areas based on partners’ strengths and expertise to ensure shared power and decision-making. An example mechanism is setting up a Steering Committee made up of two people per organisation, including the Head of the organisation, to define the roles of each in the partnership. This approach gives partners leadership roles, reduces delays, and prevents internal competition.
- Manage power dynamics to ensure productive interactions. Identify power differences between partners (e.g., access to information, funders, or key individuals). Acknowledge these dynamics with all partners, and agree on actions to level power (e.g., rotating meeting chairs, seating arrangements, consensus-based decision making). An independent facilitator can also help manage this process.
- Establish a forum for Young People. This could be structured through a Youth Advisory Panel as part of the governance structure. Engaging young people in decision-making roles not only empowers them but also ensures the content resonates with their peers. The Panel or equivalent can provide ongoing input and feedback on the campaign and participate in partner meetings. It can also engage stakeholders, such as sharing personal narratives during advocacy meetings with government officials.
- Implement proactive measures to anticipate and mitigate challenges, and establish processes to manage conflict (e.g., mediation frameworks, conflict management plans).
- Create opportunities for structured feedback to address issues early and constructively. Have clear channels of communication, such as dedicated email addresses or feedback forms. To encourage open and honest feedback, consider anonymous feedback mechanisms, such as surveys or suggestion boxes, to encourage honest and open communication without fear of repercussions. Integrate feedback into the decision making process, to regularly review feedback Regularly review feedback during governance meetings and use it to inform policy changes, strategic planning, and operational improvements.