How do you develop effective NRM partnerships?

Research & SIPs

How do you develop effective NRM partnerships?

Download a printable version of this fact sheet (PDF, 309 kB)*

This fact sheet summarises the advantages of government, industry and non-government organisations working together, and highlights the key elements of a successful partnership.

What are the advantages of a partnership?

By working cooperatively with government, industry and non-government organisations, a regional NRM body can:

deal with larger NRM problems and issues
access expertise from other organisations
gain continued funding, which often relies on partnerships
increase efficiency and give better returns on investment
share the costs, risks and rewards between the partners
allow more people to become actively involved and supportive of the project
collaborate, rather than compete, with other organisations
gain access to new ideas, information, equipment and resources

What are the key elements of a successful partnership?

NRM groups seeking to develop effective partnerships should ensure there are:

common goals and objectives
good communication systems and networks
positive personal relationships
high levels of motivation, particularly early in the relationship
clear conflict resolution and decision-making processes
good administrative and information management systems
adequate funds, resources and staff to tackle the project.

10 tips for making a partnership work

1. Share power and responsibilities

No partner should have the power to enforce others to be responsible for their decisions or actions.

2. Understand the context

Is a partnership the best approach?

NRM partnerships should only be initiated if they are appropriate to the nature of the NRM problem and the potential partners.

3. Look for similar characteristics

Partnerships work best if the partners share similar characteristics such as expertise, commitment, credibility, and a willingness to try different solutions.

4. Keep true to your goal

Partnerships work well if people have positive perceptions about themselves and others. The goal of solving NRM problems override the difficulties of working together.

5. Have realistic expectations

Good partners have realistic expectations of what may be achieved given their legal authority, resources, time and skills.

6. Keep developing the relationship

Partnerships work when people keep building personal relationships, have good conflict resolution processes, high levels of trust, and well-accepted expectations of partner behaviour.

7. Be a good communicator

Build up your communication efforts—internally and externally. Be a good listener and observer. NRM communication products and activities should be clear, timely and appropriate to the audience.

8. Learn about social learning

Knowledge is useful when people reflect and learn from it, understand others better, and adapt and change their actions as a result. This is particularly important to changing how people use land, water and vegetation resources.

9. Share your vision

Government agencies, industry groups and NRM managers must clarify how the NRM problems might be resolved and what role the partners should play. They must agree on shared objectives, targets and actions.

10. Keep looking good

It is important for others outside the relationship to perceive NRM partnerships positively (particularly for funding). Your partnerships must develop a reputation as being credible, successful and effective.

Useful resources

Barriers and Bridges to Collaborative Natural Resource Management in South East Queensland by Peter Oliver, James Whelan and John Mackenzie (2005), Cooperative Research Centre for Coastal Zone, Estuary and Waterways Management.
Oliver, P (2004), Developing Effective Partnerships in Natural Resource Management, PhD thesis, Griffith University, Australia.
Queensland Regional Natural Resource Management Groups Collective

Regional natural resource management

Research & SIPs

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