Partnering for sustainable development

This chapter provides lessons for partnering with different stakeholders in private sector engagements and identifies factors that contribute to successful partnerships. An important overarching message is that the selection of partners in development co-operation should be determined by development objectives and desired results. Depending on goals, partner country governments, CSOs, multilateral organisations, the private sector or a combination of stakeholders may be best placed to realise results. It is helpful to use diverse approaches to private sector engagement that offer opportunities to a range of different types of private sector actors in line with the goals of development co-operation. The chapter also provides lessons on the inclusion of traditional development partners, such as knowledge institutions, CSOs and multilateral organisations, in private sector engagements. The final section of the chapter focuses on lessons for successful partnership. It highlights the need to develop effective mechanisms to attract the right partners, include provisions for scaling success into the initial design of partnerships, ensure alignment of interests, and be inclusive in multi-stakeholder partnerships.