Here's how you can foster and sustain strong relationships with stakeholders in the Social Impact sector.

I will like to emphasize on “Bring value”. Value can mean different things to different people. Ultimately, Make the burden lighter, volunteer and give referrals too!

Prioritize transparent communication and listen actively. Demonstrate impact through clear, evidence-based reporting and storytelling. Maintain regular engagement and foster mutual respect and understanding.

Engage your stakeholders early in the process. Consider how they may contribute to the conceptualisation or design of your project. Their input will add value to your project from conception. This will foster a sense of ownership that can lead to these stakeholders being champions of the project.

Early engagement of stakeholders is fundamental in establishing a foundation of trust and collaboration. Involving them from the beginning ensures their perspectives are considered, fostering a sense of ownership and investment in the project. For instance, in a community health initiative, we organized initial town hall meetings to gather input from local residents about their healthcare needs and concerns. This early involvement not only informed our strategy but also built a strong base of community support, which was crucial for the program's success.

Active listening is critical, as is demonstrating that you have heard and considered the feedback and ideas your stakeholders have provided. Follow through by making sure the information you are gathering is actively visible in the deliverables of your project. Trust will be strengthened when stakeholders can see that their views have been considered.

Active listening goes beyond hearing words; it involves understanding and responding to stakeholders' concerns and suggestions. When we launched an educational program in rural areas, we conducted listening sessions with parents and teachers to understand their challenges. By actively listening and incorporating their feedback, we were able to tailor our curriculum to better meet the needs of the students, leading to higher engagement and improved educational outcomes.

Aligning your interests will require taking the time to understand your community. The social baseline data you collect will provide the information you need to identify the values and aspirations of your community and to identify the potential partners early.

Aligning the interests of your organization with those of your stakeholders creates a unified direction and purpose. This involves understanding what motivates your stakeholders and finding common ground. For example, in a project aimed at reducing plastic waste, we aligned our goals with local businesses' interests by highlighting how sustainable practices could improve their public image and reduce costs. This alignment facilitated stronger partnerships and more enthusiastic participation from the businesses involved.

Be consistent. Being transparent will build trust, keeping trust will require you are consistent. Turning up not only when you are seeking their input but also when your stakeholders require attention. Engage with your stakeholders with a desire to understand their perspective.

Trust is the cornerstone of strong stakeholder relationships. Building trust requires transparency, consistency, and accountability. In one of our environmental conservation projects, we maintained open communication about our goals, progress, and challenges. When faced with setbacks, we were honest with our stakeholders and collaboratively developed solutions. This approach reinforced their trust in our organization and our commitment to the cause.

Encouraging collaboration among stakeholders can significantly enhance the impact of your initiatives. Creating platforms for open dialogue and shared decision-making leads to innovative solutions and stronger partnerships. For example, during a project to improve urban green spaces, we facilitated workshops where city officials, local businesses, and community members co-created plans. This collaborative process not only generated creative ideas but also ensured that the solutions were feasible and had broad support.

Investing the time for collaborative efforts will have long lasting effects. Consider how your stakeholders can collaborate on social impact monitoring and management. Their local knowledge and experience is likely to help ensure your mitigations are effective and efficient.