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Civic Field Guide

Partnership

This section of the Civic Field Guide explores the importance of partnerships.

At the heart of civic engagement lie mutual commitments to shared priorities. But how does this spirit of collaboration translate into meaningful, place‑based partnerships with other community anchors?

A line-drawn illustration of a man and a woman shaking hands, both wearing business attire. The woman holds a folder and some papers. Around them are illustrated icons representing a calendar, globe, checklist, light bulb, map pin, and graduation cap, symbolizing partnership, collaboration, ideas, planning, achievement, and location. Pink circles are used as accent details throughout the background.

Photography by Benno Media

From Connection to Collaboration

At the heart of civic work lies the practice of partnering with others who share responsibility for a community's future.

This section of the Field Guide asks: what does it take to move partnerships from intention to action, from connection to collaboration?

Here, we examine the qualities that shape truly place‑based partnerships and the conditions that help them flourish.

What do we mean by Partnership?

Field Notes at a Glance

Distilled wisdom to guide your path across the terrain.

A Post-it Note with the words "Shared Challenges Need Collective Action"
A Post-it Note with the words "University as PARTNER not always LEADER"
A Post-it Note with the words "THEMATIC networks amplify impact"
A post-it note with the words "POWER SHARING = authentic partnership"
A post-it note with the words "Coordinate don't duplicate"
A post-it note with the words "MUTUAL BENEFIT for all partners"
Line drawing of a wooden signpost in grass.

Foundational Waypoints

By stepping back and seeing evidence in the round, new insights emerge from the clouds.

Think of these waypoints as signposts, not instructions. They capture shared learning and practical insights to help you navigate your civic journey with confidence, at your own pace and from your own place.

Partnership People Process

A pink line drawing of three toy building blocks. One with a square on it, one with a circle on it and one with a triangle on it.

Coordinate thematic partnerships for collective impact

Develop issue-focused collaborations that unite diverse civic partners around shared challenges, amplifying expertise and resources for greater community benefit.

Universities maximise civic impact by actively coordinating and participating in thematic partnerships that bring together diverse civic actors around specific shared challenges such as climate change, public health, economic development, or social justice.

These focused collaborations enable significantly more effective coordination of collective expertise and resources, creating opportunities for transformational impact that no single organisation could achieve independently.

Universities contribute their distinctive research capabilities, analytical expertise, student energy, and convening power whilst simultaneously learning from the practical knowledge of community organisations, local government, businesses, and other civic partners.

This collaborative model transcends traditional sectoral boundaries, creating innovative spaces where multi-perspective dialogue generates creative solutions to complex, interconnected problems.

Effective coordination requires universities to function as genuine collaborative partners rather than presumed leaders, contributing their unique assets whilst fully respecting and amplifying the expertise, priorities, and leadership of other network members. Success emerges when thematic partnerships create lasting infrastructure for ongoing collaboration that outlasts individual projects.

"Being part of issue-focused partnerships means my work is finally recognised as vital, not just a box-ticker for someone else's agenda. Real collective impact feels possible when every partner's voice and expertise truly matters"

Community Grassroots Leader

Lost your bearings? Head to another terrain as your next step.

Key Equipment

  • 1

    This practical toolkit from Queen Mary University of London provides exercises, case studies and resources to develop principles for equitable partnership working in your place and context. Co-designed with 49 civic, community and university partners, it offers concrete guidance for creating fair, mutual partnerships that transcend traditional power imbalances.

  • 2

    This dynamic visual resource was designed to help university professionals navigate complex local landscapes and build effective partnerships across sectors. This tool makes sense of civic connections by mapping key organisations in different sectors, and identifying priorities and collaboration pathways.

  • 3

    This comprehensive tool demystifies outputs, outcomes and impacts in public engagement work. The framework provides practical tools for measuring success across different partnership activities, with worked examples and question banks for evidence-based partnership evaluation.

  • 4
    This webinar showcases how Sheffield Hallam University coordinated transformative thematic partnerships around early years outcomes, working with Save the Children UK, NHS, and local authorities to create lasting collaborative infrastructure that benefits children, families and communities.

  • 5

    Community Engagement Officer Ho-Kit Lam demonstrates how universities can coordinate authentic thematic partnerships around safety by centring student voices, combining data with personal stories, and building collaborative relationships with police and local authorities whilst ensuring students lead discussions and decision-making.

  • 6
    Evidence review exploring universities' contributions to health and wellbeing​ through partnerships with NHS, local authorities and community organisations. Provides frameworks for collaborative health strategies and demonstrates how coordinated approaches achieve greater population health impacts.

Take a moment to reflect on these resources, then see how the next waypoint builds on this learning

Partnership People Process

Line drawing of four interlinked hands.

Build authentic equitable place-based partnerships

Cultivate collaborative relationships that honour diverse expertise, share power genuinely, and create sustained mutual benefit across different community contexts.

Equitable place-based partnerships flourish when universities systematically cultivate collaborative relationships built on genuine recognition of diverse forms of expertise, authentic power-sharing, and sustained commitment to mutual benefit across different community contexts and priorities.

These partnerships transcend traditional institutional hierarchies by acknowledging that communities possess invaluable knowledge, assets, and leadership capacity that complement academic expertise in addressing complex local challenges. Universities must invest time and resources in understanding local partnership landscapes, building authentic relationships with diverse stakeholders, and learning how their contributions can enhance rather than duplicate existing community assets and initiatives.

Authentic partnerships require universities to position themselves as important but not always dominant players within local collaborative ecosystems, contributing distinctive capabilities whilst explicitly respecting and amplifying community leadership and priorities.

Success involves creating partnership structures that share decision-making power, resources, and recognition equitably whilst maintaining long-term commitments that outlast individual projects or funding cycles. Equitable partnerships generate lasting benefit for all partners whilst strengthening overall community capacity and resilience.

"I recognise that our greatest progress comes from listening as much as leading, honouring the expertise communities already hold. Effective civic work is built on trust, mutual respect, and shared power: where universities contribute distinctive skills but don't overshadow local voices. When we commit to this approach, the outcomes are truly transformative for everyone involved."

University Civic Engagement Manager

Lost your bearings? Head to another terrain as your next step.

Key Equipment

  • 1

    This practical toolkit from Queen Mary University of London provides exercises, case studies and resources to develop principles for equitable partnership working in your place and context. Co-designed with 49 civic, community and university partners, it offers concrete guidance for creating fair, mutual partnerships that transcend traditional power imbalances.

  • 2

    This Theory of Civic Change Framework helps guide universities towards becoming truly civic institutions by understanding the process of achieving place-based goals. Emphasises collaborative relationships with local partners, identifying stakeholders and creating lasting positive impact through shared objectives rather than presumed university leadership.

  • 3

    A flagship programme demonstrating authentic university-community partnership through co-created, co-led projects with Grangetown residents and businesses. Launched in 2015, this initiative provides a proven model for fostering long-term, equal, mutually beneficial relationships that honour diverse expertise and create sustained benefits.

  • 4

    An evidence review examining vulnerabilities facing university civic engagement through analysis of five forms of 'civic capital' within institutions. Provides crucial guidance on accountability structures and locally-meaningful metrics essential for sustaining authentic community partnerships during challenging financial times.

  • 5

    Analysis of declining public trust in universities with recommendations for rebuilding relationships through 'acting with' rather than 'acting for' communities. Advocates for universities joining civic alliances to create structures enabling staff and students to work collaboratively with others for common purpose.

  • 6
    Evidence review examining how universities impact local economies whilst highlighting the importance of moving beyond GDP-focused growth models. Provides frameworks for inclusive development that addresses inequalities and promotes alternative economic paradigms prioritising community wellbeing and sustainability.

Take a moment to reflect on these resources, then see how the next waypoint builds on this learning

Line drawing of a wooden signpost in grass.

Supporting Waypoints

Complementary insights that extend your understanding across the interconnected terrains of civic engagement.

These waypoints offer fresh perspectives to deepen and broaden your civic practice. They're here to complement your journey, giving you the space to explore connections, draw parallels, and engage with ideas that fit your own context.

Purpose Practice Partnership Process Policy

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Embed civic engagement as a core university mission

Chart institutional transformation by weaving civic purpose through strategic leadership, collaborative delivery, and comprehensive accountability systems.

People​ Purpose​ Partnership Place​

Line drawing of an abstract community.

Partner with communities through co-design and lived experience

Forge collaborative pathways by positioning communities as equal partners, centring lived experience, and creating shared solutions for place.

Place​ Partnership​ Policy​

Line drawing of a bullseye with a location marker.

Embed hyper-local working alongside strengthening strategic regional partnerships

Balance neighbourhood-scale engagement with broader collaborative networks, creating connections across overlapping geographies and diverse community contexts.

Coming Soon Download

Take the Civic Field Guide with you!

A downloadable version of the guide is coming soon, designed for you to keep, refer to and share with colleagues.

Whether you're navigating new partnerships or refining existing ones, this portable edition will help you chart your civic journey with ease.

Line drawing of a diamond sparkling.

Hidden Gems

Sometimes it helps to step off the beaten path and immerse yourself in a new experience or perspective.

These hidden gems might help you reflect, refine or spark something new. Click to explore!

Expedition Debrief

Strategic partnership development requires universities to function as genuine collaborative partners rather than presumed leaders, contributing their unique assets whilst fully respecting and amplifying the expertise, priorities, and leadership of other collaborators in their place.

Universities excel in partnerships when they combine their research capabilities, analytical expertise, student energy, and convening power with the practical knowledge and community connections of local organisations, creating innovative spaces where multi-perspective dialogue generates creative solutions to complex, interconnected problems. This collaborative model transcends traditional sectoral boundaries, enabling transformational impact through coordinated collective action.

Effective partnership coordination demands universities to systematically map and understand thematic opportunities that bring together a range of civic actors around specific shared challenges.

These focused collaborations create lasting infrastructure for ongoing partnership that outlasts individual projects, building sustainable networks capable of addressing complex community challenges through combined organisational strengths.

Universities serve as crucial connectors and coordinators whilst ensuring that partnership leadership reflects genuine community priorities and local expertise.

The Partnership terrain emphasises that universities must develop comprehensive approaches to cultivating equitable place-based partnerships that honour diverse expertise and share power genuinely across different community contexts and priorities.

This requires investment in understanding local partnership landscapes, building authentic relationships with diverse stakeholders, and learning how university contributions can enhance rather than duplicate existing community assets and initiatives. Authentic partnerships emerge when universities position themselves strategically within local collaborative ecosystems whilst maintaining clear focus on community-led priorities.

Successful partnership work requires universities to recognise that equitable collaboration generates lasting benefit for all partners whilst strengthening overall community capacity and resilience through sustained commitment to mutual benefit. This involves creating partnership structures that distribute decision-making power, resources, and recognition fairly whilst maintaining long-term commitments that transcend individual funding cycles or project timelines.

Partnership success emerges when collaborative relationships create genuine added value for all participants while addressing community-identified priorities through coordinated collective action.

Essential Equipment

Like a compass and a map, you need the right tools to set you on the right path.

Our essential equipment will help you plan a route and weather any storms along the way.

2025-12-03T17:06:38+00:00

Contributing to Place

This collection of four evidence reviews examines the multifaceted impact of universities on their local places, from improving public health to driving economic development. The reports provide a comprehensive overview of universities' civic role.