FINDING PARTNERS TO WORK WITH

Finding the right community partners is crucial to the success of any Enactus project. By building relationships with local organisations, businesses, and key stakeholders, you gain valuable insights, resources, and support to amplify your impact. Community partners can provide access to target beneficiaries, help you understand the local landscape, and offer expertise that strengthens your project. By working closely with partners who share your vision, you can create long-lasting, sustainable solutions that are deeply embedded within the community. The stronger your partnerships, the greater your chances of success in driving meaningful change.

Mapping Local Networks

Objective: Identify potential community partners who are already working on similar social or environmental issues.  

Task:

Create a community map. Start by listing local businesses, organisations, charities, and influencers who are working in the same area of focus as your project. Categorize them based on the type of support they might provide (e.g., financial, expertise, resources).


Tips for identifying community partners:  

  • Research Local Organisations  

  • Engage with Community Networks 

  • Talk to Community Members  

  • Check your University Networks and Student Union  

Communicating with Community Partners

It is important that your team develops effective communication strategies to engage potential community partners and build strong relationships.  

You can break your outreach into three stages for a smooth, professional communication process: 


1. Email: Draft a concise, professional email introducing your team, the project, and why you believe their organization could be an excellent partner. Highlight the mutual benefits of collaboration. 

2. Phone Call: After sending the email, follow up with a phone call to ensure the message was received and to set up a meeting. Use the call to explain the project in more detail and express your interest in working together. 

3. In-Person Meeting: Arrange an in-person meeting to solidify the partnership. Come prepared with a clear agenda, project plan, and ideas for collaboration. Be ready to listen to their needs and see how your project can align with their goals. 

AND DON’T FORGET, IF THEY DON’T RESPOND TO YOU, THERE’S NOTHING STOPPING YOU FROM GOING IN TO SEE THEM!

Why not consider working with local organisations to gain experience?

Before implementing your own projects, you should consider gaining firsthand experience working with potential community partners and see their operations up close to help strengthen your own initiatives.  

Volunteer for a day at a local organisation working on issues related to your project. This experience will help you understand the inner workings of the organisation, the challenges they face, and how you can design your project to complement their efforts. Make sure you also pay close attention to how they are working with the target beneficiaries. It’s also a great way to build relationships and establish trust with future partners. 

Empathising With Your Partners

This is a crucial stage in understanding the needs, challenges and goals of your community partners. Start by scheduling conversations with your identified partners. In these sessions, focus on asking open-ended questions and listening to what your partners truly need, rather than presenting your project ideas. 


Prepare Thoughtful Questions: Frame your questions around understanding their mission, current challenges, and what kind of support would be most valuable to them. Some examples are:  

"What are the biggest challenges you're currently facing?" 
"What additional resources or partnerships would help you achieve your goals?" 
"How do you see your work growing in the next few years?" 


Lead with Impact and Curiosity: Approach the conversation with a mindset of genuine curiosity, and a desire to make a meaningful difference. By actively listening to their responses, you show respect and a willingness to create a partnership based on their actual needs. 


Record Key Insights: After the meeting, take time to reflect on what you learned. What are their biggest pain points? How can your team potentially help meet these needs? Use this information to shape the direction of your project moving forward. 

Why Finding The Right Partner Matters

Community partners provide more than just resources - they offer vital insights into the communities you're trying to serve. These organisations already have established trust with the people you want to help, making them invaluable allies in implementing and scaling your project. By collaborating with partners, you can ensure your project is more sustainable, responsive to real needs, and has a greater chance of long-term success.

Top Tips:

  • Be Proactive: Don’t wait for partners to come to you. Reach out, introduce your project, and clearly communicate how collaboration benefits both sides. 

  • Stay Local: Focus on partners who are deeply embedded in the community you’re trying to help. They’ll have the most relevant knowledge and insights. 

  • Build Mutually Beneficial Relationships: Make sure your partnerships benefit both parties. Show how your project aligns with their mission and how working together strengthens both efforts. 

  • Lead with Empathy and Curiosity: Prioritize understanding your partner's needs by asking open-ended questions and actively listening. This approach helps build trust and ensures your project addresses their real challenges before proposing any solutions. 

  • Start Small: Begin with smaller partnerships to build trust and credibility. As your project grows, so can your partnerships. 

  • Follow Up: Once you've made initial contact, maintain consistent communication to show your commitment and build a strong, lasting relationship.