Partnership 101

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Questions to ask and resources to consider

Partnership 101 provides an outline of questions to ask and Colorado resources to consider reviewing when you begin a new partnership.

Anti-trafficking partnerships can take many forms and typically involve bringing together different groups and organizations that can effectively represent a city, county, or region’s work on this issue. Initiating a formal partnership is hard work that involves answering key questions about the purpose of the partnership, the terms of membership, and the envisioned joint actions.

Define your partnership

How do you define your partnership?

Partnership measures acknowledge that combating human trafficking requires a comprehensive response through the cooperation of multiple sectors. Partnerships bring together diverse experiences, amplify messages, and leverage resources. For the purpose of this survey, an anti-human trafficking partnership refers to a … [e.g., a cooperative relationship between two or more organizations established for the purpose of jointly combating human trafficking in some way.]

Here are some examples of anti-trafficking partnerships around the world:

The functions of your partnership

What would you like your partnership to do?
It could:

  • Provide strategic coordination for human trafficking work in your area.
  • Provide operational coordination for human trafficking work in your area.
  • Share information and resources.
  • Increase awareness of the extent of human trafficking in your area.
  • Involve businesses and community members in anti-human trafficking work.
  • Prioritize engagement of survivors directly in the anti-human trafficking movement.

The membership of your partnership

How will you determine membership within your partnership?

Are there existing partnerships/networks in your area or region that you should link with? e.g. Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs), Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART). Consider creating a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

Consider inviting the following types of organizations, agencies, and private companies and create a leadership structure. Here is guidance on adding members and who should be included:

How will you set up a leadership structure?
Different partnership functions involve different types of partners and methods of engagement. Here are some examples of local anti-trafficking partnership structures and governance:

 

Consider the following key roles in your parntership’s leadership structure:

  • Coordinator 
  • Facilitator 
  • Chairperson 
  • Fiscal Agent 
  • Subject Matter Expert(s) 
  • Member Agency Leadership 
  • Subgroups to focus on specific vulnerable populations or communities

Explore other sections of the Partnership Toolkit

Partnership Management

Has your partnership set up specific goals and strategies?

Explore resources

Funding Your Partnership

How will you fund your partnerships’ work? What funding sources are available to you?

Explore resources

Trust and Sustainability

How will you maintain trust and resolve conflict?

Explore resources

Survivor Engagement

How will you make your partnership survivor-centered?

Explore resources