Campaigns to End Violence against Women and Girls - Virtual ...

Checklist for successful partnerships
- A joint coordination platform is established.
- Binding terms of engagement are defined.
- Joint milestones are defined.
- Conflict management rules are formulated.
- Different interests and expectations are taken into account.
- Mutual trust-inducing activities are taking place or are planned.
- Periodic evaluation of experience and joint success stories are made visible.
Adapted from GTZ, 2009: 139.
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES IN ALLIANCES
It may take some time, and even a few crises, until an alliance is fully functional. The
process of balancing different allies’ interests is likely to continue throughout the lifetime
of an alliance. It is a necessary and, if led competently, fruitful process, but it has its
challenges that must be taken into account when planning the campaign:
� Compromise: alliance members may need to relinquish some of their own ideas
and interests to reach agreement with others. Under no circumstances, however,
should essential principles of campaigning on VAW – such as the need to ground the
campaign in gender analysis – be sacrificed. If the alliance cannot reach agreement
on certain issues, it is advisable to proceed by consensus – i.e., to work on the
issues members can agree on, and continue discussing or leave aside points of
disagreement.
� Delays: reaching a consensus can delay action, as alliance members may need to
build trust, gain a common understanding of the issue and the strategy, and get used
to working together. It can take time to clarify roles and responsibilities, but skipping
these steps may jeopardize the success of a campaign.
� Transaction costs: Expenses related to coordination of the alliance, e.g. to secure
meeting venues, provide meals or meeting supplies, time related to traveling to
meetings, staff time used in negotiations and other activities linked to maintaining the
alliance can be problematic when some members contribute more time or money
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Campaigns December 2011