#INSight – Collaborating for Mutual Growth

Collaboration and partnership can take many forms, but they always have the same goal: to work together to achieve shared goals.?In the impact ecosystem, these shared goals are long-term sustainable development. This approach acknowledges the uniqueness of each organization and its differences in needs and resources. It gives chances for each organization to actively participate in decision-making processes that could impact the development of their community and the whole ecosystem.?

Here at Instellar, we have been embracing collaboration in our economic development projects to support social enterprise and this is what we learned: collaboration significantly impacts their growth. The collaboration could be in the form of community events, cross-information posting, content or product collaboration, and many more. For instance, PT YAGI Natural Indonesia is collaborating with Sustaination for natural skincare hampers, and Duitin Indonesia partnered up with Westbike Messenger Service for a recyclable waste pickup with zero emissions. These collaborations aim to reach a wider audience and to escalate the impact made by each organization.

Being involved with different stakeholders with different needs and resources means there will need to be a lot of conversations and adaptations. To establish collaboration that leads to mutual growth, here are some key aspects to consider:

• Shared Decision-Making

All parties involved in the collaboration should actively participate in the discussion and the planning. They have an equal voice in a shared decision-making process.

• Mutual Learning and Exchange

Collaboration should foster a two-way learning process where communities share insights, experiences, and best practices.

• Long-Term Commitment

A sustainable collaboration requires a long-term commitment from all the communities involved. This commitment should take adjustments and evaluations into account. While the goals may not change, priorities and needs could evolve with time.

• Transparency and Accountability

Mutual accountability is essential for building trust between the communities. There needs to be regular reporting and open communication to ensure ongoing collaboration within the ecosystem.

• Adaptability and Flexibility

Collaboration should be adaptable and flexible to adjust the strategies based on the changing circumstances, needs, and challenges. The communities should be allowed to modify their approaches based on feedback.

To conclude, communities hold the power to attain shared goals of sustainable development. By incorporating these key points, collaborations become the catalyst for impact that benefits communities and the world. Let us remember that the path to a sustainable future depends not only on our resources but also on the strength of partnerships. Hand-in-hand, we can continue building a world where sustainability is not just a goal but a shared reality.

Elok S.

Partnership Lead at Instellar