Local Sustainability Partnerships: Understanding the relationship between partnership structural features and partners’ outcomes

Over 10,000 cities around the world have implemented LA21s through partnerships involving public, private and civil society organizations. Organizing large cross-sector partnerships requires structures for ensuring collaborative action (such as decision-making processes, communication systems, monitoring and reporting systems, etc.). Being involved in the partnership results in outcomes for the partner organizations (e.g., sustainability progress, legitimacy, relationship building, skills development, etc.). This research aims to understand the relationship between partnership implementation structures and partner outcomes.

Data was collected on partner outcomes through a survey from three large sustainability partnerships (Gwangju, South Korea; Montreal, Canada; and Barcelona, Spain), each with over 100 partner organizations. 186 partners completed the survey, for a response rate of 33%. Data was collected on the partnership structures through interviews and documents. Results will show if the design of the partnerships’ structure, and specific structural features are critical for achieving desired outcomes at the partner level. Understanding these partnerships and their partner relationships is critical for addressing sustainable community plans, and thus achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) # 11.

Faculty Supervisor:

Amelia Clarke

Student:

Partner:

ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services; Public administration

University:

University of Waterloo

Program: