NGO CLUB Model of Sustainable Partnerships

1. NGO CLUBModel of Sustainable Partnerships Targovishte7700 Phone: 0601 63425 1 30thJanuary St, floor3Email: clubngo@abv.bg

2. Rules for Sustainable Partnerships

3. 1.Partnership starts with mutual interest. This interest is based on stakeholders’ and their target groups’ goals, missions and functions.

4. 2. Partnership must be based on equal relationships. This should be observed in all partnership stages and in relation to: a) consensus based decision making b) agreement of commitments anddistribution of responsibilities c) performance evaluation d) sharing of both benefits and negative sides of joint activities

5. 3. Partnership requires constant dialogue and communication at all management levels and stages– preliminary agreement, distribution and fulfillment of commitments, evaluation of results and planning of follow-up activities.

6. 4. Partnership must meet the complementarity principle accomplished through consolidation of resources (human, material, financial).

7. 5. Partnership must be based on the maintenance of parties’ autonomy.

8. 6. Partnership takes targeted planning and implementation of activities leading to the development of partners and partner relations in the long run.

9. TOOLS IMPLEMENTED BY PARTNERSHIP І. Tools in the period of partnership identification and negotiation: SWOTanalysis/brainstorming/focus group for accurate assessment of the need of partners; Research of partners relevant to the problem we want to solve. Use of various sources of information about potential partners(websites, local authorities, other NGOs, reference books, NGO databases, etc.) (based on the complementarity rule)

10. Meeting to identify mutual interest(based on the first rule); Communication and dialogue at the different levels (management, work teams, experts, etc.). Different information materials, presentations, diagrams, etc. can be used (based on the third rule for dialogue and communication at all levels) Final selection of partners where the involvement of target groups is recommended.

11. Joint negotiation of rules for the specific partnership (based on the rule forequality): • Introduction to the rules for sustainable partnership; • Drawing up and signing of a contract (agreement)between the partners with clear responsibilities, including financial; • Defining minimum/maximum expectations for partnership results.

12. ІІ. Tools in the period of partnership implementation: Development and adoption of tools/ mechanisms for ongoing/mutual monitoring of the partnership(based on the rule for partners’ equality).

13. MONITORING TOOLS: In relation to the team: • Work meetings; • Teambuilding; • Workshops; • Discussions; • Sharing/usage of experience In relation to activities: • Periodic evaluation/re-evaluation; • Periodic planning; • Analyses; • Ongoing reports; • Site visits; • Visualized graphics, diagrams, pictures, etc.

14. ІІІ. Tools for partnership analysis and planning of follow-up activities: • Setting up of a work group to conduct the analysis; • Comparison of minimum and maximum expectations from the partnership(comparison of goals and results); • Evaluation of partners’ satisfaction (through questionnaires, feedback, interviews, teambuilding, etc.); • Promotion of partnership results (publications, interviews, brochures, flyers, joint declarations, joint parties,etc.); • Re-signing of the agreement to build on identified goals and objectives.

15. Partnership in action • NGO Club Targovishte – Municipal Chitalishte Council: • Joint membership; • Joint projects; • Joint accountancy; • Shared offices and office equipment; • Nominations of chitalishte and library activists.

16. NGO Club– chitalishte libraries: • Provision of resources; • Delivery of training; • Joint initiatives – summer reading;volunteerism in small settlements; ideas and projects market • Mutual support in implementing activities and projects – the most recent example – the libraries in Davidovo, Saedinenie, Ralitsa and Bryag– learning together with parents…