Different Strengths, Shared Goals: Cross-Sector Partnerships That Last and Deliver
About the session
The problems we are trying to solve rarely fit neatly within one sector. Neither do the resources needed to solve them.
Businesses bring capital, capabilities and reach. Nonprofits bring deep expertise and relationships with communities. Governments shape policy and public systems. Philanthropy can take risks others cannot, while multilateral institutions can connect action across countries and institutions. The opportunity lies in what becomes possible when those strengths are deliberately combined.
But putting different organisations around the same table does not automatically produce effective partnership. Different incentives, timelines, definitions of success and distributions of power can make collaboration difficult to sustain.
This session will explore practical models for building cross-sector partnerships that last and deliver, from co-creating solutions across nonprofit and for-profit organisations to mobilising business, philanthropy, governments and the UN around shared outcomes. What does each sector uniquely contribute? Where do these partnerships tend to break down? And what kind of leadership, diplomacy and storytelling helps turn shared intention into collective action?
Discussion Group Leaders
Erin Cooper is Associate Director at APCO, advancing social impact through strategic communications, media engagement, and partnerships.
Norah Magero is Founder at Drop Access, expanding access to lifesaving medical supplies in remote communities through renewable energy and locally developed technology.
What to expect
A practical conversation drawing on cross-sector partnerships working across climate resilience, youth opportunity, gender equality, civic engagement and social impact.
Participants will examine what makes partnerships durable, how different sectors can divide roles effectively, and what it takes to move from collaboration in principle to shared action in practice.
Who this is for
This session is for leaders from business, nonprofits, philanthropy, government and multilateral institutions who are building partnerships across traditional boundaries and want to understand how to make them more effective.
What you will get out of it
Practical models for building durable cross-sector partnerships
A clearer understanding of the distinctive roles different sectors can play
Lessons on navigating different incentives, power dynamics and definitions of success
Perspectives on leadership, diplomacy and storytelling as tools for collective action
Connections with potential partners working across sectors toward shared goals