Collaborative actions are essential for the third sector. After all, they are what allow initiatives to innovate and expand their socio-environmental impact on society. However, social entrepreneurs face some challenges when it comes to collaboration between organizations.
So how do we strengthen the impact ecosystem?
This and other reflections were discussed at the 1st Good Sphere Brazil Social Meeting, organized by thedotgood in partnership with Cieds. The event, which took place on July 5, brought together some organizations that were included in the Swiss institution's 2023 ranking. Remember here.
The table ?Ways to scale and collectively leverage our impact? received our CEO Leonardo Letelier, Rafael Maretti (Collaborative Base), Luiza Serpa (Phi Institute), Sylvia Guimarães (Vaga Lume) and Taiana Jung, as mediator.
For Leonardo, to achieve greater cooperation between organizations, we need to recognize that we live in a context of competition. “We need to bring collaboration to the real side, because it is very difficult to happen between everyone and for everyone. We need to come together where and how it makes sense”, highlights.
For Rafael, the vulnerability and humanization of leaders is very important for this collaboration. “We feel like collaborating in a human and imperfect place. We need spaces to not only talk about wonderful numbers, but also to talk about mistakes and problems, and from these stories we understand how to support each other.”, reflects.
Third sector organizations are constantly facing challenges and transforming themselves. For Sylvia Guimarães, it is necessary that we leave aside heroism – often created by the media – and actively listen to the beneficiaries.The communities in which we operate can teach us a lot. The degree of sharing they have can be an antidote to our tendency to compete and collaborate less.”, emphasizes.
Is it possible to establish a partnership with the public authorities?
Structural changes cannot be made without public policies. To achieve this, we need to draw up strategies in agreement with collective objectives. Letelier says that, at the beginning of his career in the third sector, he was very resistant to involvement with the public sector. “We still have little involvement with the government, but we are more open to public and political influence in a place that is ours. We understand the economy.”
An example of how NGOs can collaborate with public authorities is to advance and enrich important discussions for the third sector – which is responsible for 4.27% of Brazilian GDP, according to research by Importance of the Third Sector for Brazilian GDP.
It is necessary for social organizations to position themselves before the public sectors, in order to contribute to the creation of laws and policies that encourage and leverage our actions.
Unity makes change
Collecting difficulties, but with a lot of hope, Luiza Serpa reinforces that we must not give up: “Collaboration between the sector is very difficult, we need to put aside our own agenda and open our drawers to share with each other what we have been learning and making mistakes”.
A successful partnership requires a true relationship of exchange, flexibility and a lot of transparency. We are a community of transformation and we need to find, together, paths towards a new culture of action in the service of a greater good.
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