Lesson Learned
Posted on August 31, 2021 by Lillian Holmes
Authoring Organizations: | CEO Water Mandate |
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Consulting Organizations: |
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Texas Water Action Collaborative |
Universal: | No |
Applicable Phases: | Assess |
Last Updated | Oct 2, 2024 |
In some partnerships, a core partner may serve as a connector who matches interested parties to collaborate on different projects, such as by identifying alignment between companies’ natural resources-related goals and environmental projects managed by NGOs and municipalities. In this instance, consider using the Natural Resources Risk and Action Framework (NRAF) Tool 1: Stakeholder/Institutional Analysis. Use two survey instruments: one to assess what each existing or proposed project will deliver, and one to assess each potential supporters’ areas of interest. Existing and proposed projects can be scored using a matrix of criteria to sort projects by level of impact. Compatible partners can then be identified by weighting criteria that aligns with supporters’ goals. This provides baseline vetting prior to creating project proposals or introduction for potential funding.
The Texas Water Action Collaborative (TxWAC), a coalition of industry, nonprofit, and governmental organizations, is currently piloting in the upper Trinity River Basin. This collaboration is facilitated by the conservation non-profit Texan by Nature, whose mission is to accelerate conservation of natural resources by bringing conservation and business sectors together for collaborative, impactful partnerships. Building on the expertise of founding TxWAC partners (Coors and Coors Seltzer, Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, LimnoTech, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service - Texas, Tarrant Regional Water District, Texan by Nature, Trinity River Authority), learnings from California Water Action Collaborative involvement, and Texan by Nature’s 95+ conservation partners across the state, the collaborative surveyed conservation organizations and companies. The survey served to better understand the scope of projects in need of funding as well as industry partner priorities per their CSR/Sustainability goals. Conservation organization’s survey results were scored across 18 key criteria to identify the most impactful projects. Results are utilized to create a custom view and prioritization for each company based on weighting of their own strategic priorities. This process streamlines the partnership initiation and creates a replicable model that can be expanded to other geographies.
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This lesson learned reflects the beliefs and experiences of the author, not necessarily the Pacific Institute, CEO Water Mandate, or UN Global Compact.