Factors Influencing the Strength of Collaborative Partnerships: the Case of International Partners in Mission, Kenya

Abstract

This project identified the factors that intluence the strength of collaborative partnerships with a special focus on partners working with International Partners in Mission (IPM) in Kenya. A critical examination of the status of the partnership in Kenya was done. The data was gathered using questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions and observations. Documents related to partnership were also reviewed. The main findings of the study were that; first, the project partners lacked an understanding as to the scope, mandate and the duration of the partnership. Secondly, the partnership structures do not promote ownership and sustainability of the projects as most partnerships depend on personalised relationships. In making recommendations for the partnership, the focus was on how best it can be strengthened both in the short and long term. Four key recommendations are proposed. First, the partnership needs top clarify to each partner its scope, terms and mandate. Secondly, the partnership structures need to be strengthened in order to achieve sustainable impact in the communities served. Thirdly, the governance and the use of partnership resources should be improved and finally the build the capacity of the project partners. The report is presented in five chapters: Chapter one discusses the background to the study. The second chapter reviews relevant literature. Chapter three presents the research methodology and shows how the data will be collected and analyzed. Data analysis and presentation is in chapter four. The last chapter presents the main conclusions of the study, recommendations for enhancing the impact of partnerships and the scope for further research.