Collaboration - NGO - Research Toolbox

Checklist for formalising collaboration - ELRHA

Key questions (ELRHA p. 25-27):

What are the benefits and costs of formalizing the relationship through a written agreement?

Example of benefits (e.g. shared document with objectives and expectations on each side, gives weight to a collaborative partnership, formal framework for managing funding, costs and other inputs etc.)
Example of costs (e.g. negotiation time for staff involved, administration time for meetings, financial and accounting staff time etc.)

What type of formal document is appropriate?

What does an agreement need to cover?

Check list on what the document should include
Practical issues to agree on e.g. costs, VAT, intellectual property rights, security, data and future use.

What shall be included in a formalized agreement? (ELRHA p.27):

Agreed partnership principles and values
Clear roles for each organization
Ways of working
What success would look lie, outputs and outcome of the collaboration
Institutional commitment and contribution to the collaboration
Agreement to adhere to each institution’s ethical codes
Relationship with the funder and management of the head contracts
How the collaboration will be represented, who will be the spokespeople and where the collaboration will be showcased
Process of adapting to change including new opportunities and negotiating any difficulties