Taskforce 2002 consisted of 18 senior figures from the worlds of business and the voluntary sector. Meeting regularly and consulting widely, their aim was to promote lasting partnerships between the sectors, bringing mutual benefit to those involved and for society as a whole. Their report (1) highlights the benefits to be derived from such partnerships, identifies the obstacles likely to be encountered and explains ways to overcome them.
The report’s four year action programme is located firmly in the context of recent developments in corporate responsibility and civil society of and the government policy focus on partnerships. The fundamental tenet is a challenge to the perceived business monopoly of power and resources and a need to base sustainable partnerships on sharing the skills and resources particular to each sector. Recommendations from the taskforce centre around three themes:
increasing communication and understanding;
highlighting examples of best practice; and
ensuring mechanisms for supporting organisations developing effective partnerships.
Perspectives
From the perspective of the voluntary sector, business can provide organisations with knowledge and expertise, training opportunities, money, increased credibility and publicity. Taskforce 2002 highlights the flow of resources, particularly those in-kind and time, where more personal and therefore sustainable partnerships can be developed.
From the business perspective, the taskforce says voluntary organisations can offer management training, with skills in motivating volunteers, networking, advocacy, campaigning and fundraising. For example, working with a voluntary organisation can develop initiative and confidence often more easily than in the traditional business environment. Giving in-kind to voluntary organisations can also save disposal costs.
Difficulties encountered by companies which want partnerships with the voluntary sector range from lack of information about potential partners, through to mismatching of objectives and a lack of awareness of the added benefits to be accrued from partnerships.
Recommendations
Among the practical ideas to build capacity in the voluntary sector, companies are recommended to:
help with training, mentoring and advice;
provide access to the full range of IT and Internet facilities;
support more local brokerage mechanisms;
draw small firms in to partnerships through regional networks, supply chains and Business Links;
enhance the quality of their community investment through measurement, study of best practice and increased employee involvement;
spread best practice around Europe.
Note 1: Copies of ‘The Two Way Street: towards partnerships for the mutual benefit of business and voluntary and community organisations’ from BITC on 0171 224 1600 or NCVO on 0171 713 6161, price ?15.
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