# Our Partnerships

Sustainability as a movement is picking up pace and we are certainly not alone in the strive for a more just and sustainable world. On our way, we deem it very important to join forces, exchange perspectives, receive and offer support to like-minded organizations and individuals. It is important for us to maintain a friendly, open-minded, learning-oriented relationship with everyone we partner up with - and this is also one criterion for us to enter a partnership or not. 

Beyond that, partner organizations/individuals should align with our[ ethical guideline](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HRPQkS3hIaa4-RB0SyxM7Ec3lipByngb/view) and respect the [planetary boundaries ](https://www.stockholmresilience.org/research/planetary-boundaries.html)in their work (see [sustainability definition](https://oikos-international.org/news/defining-sustainability-oikos-understanding-of-sustainability-sustainable-development-2/)). It also must be clear how they strive to work towards sustainability, and how working together can bring value to everyone involved. Of course, there are different reasons and functions a partnership can address. Therefore, we introduced a threefold differentiation to clarify how we work together:

| oikos' partners | Friends                                                                                                            | Collaborators                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | Donors                                                                                                                                            |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Who             | Individuals, private & public organizations                                                                        | Individuals, private & public organizations                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | Individuals, private & public organizations                                                                                                       |
| Why             | To broaden network & indicate affiliation & shared vision                                                          | To foster deeper relationships that lead to new possibilities                                                                                                                                                                                                        | To sustain the organization & empower the network                                                                                                 |
| Shared Value    | <ul><li>mainly exchange & dissemination of opportunities through agreed channels</li><li>logo on website</li></ul> | <ul><li>potentially all mentioned before</li><li>invitation & participation in events & initiatives</li><li>shared initiatives on several levels to leverage our common impact</li><li>ongoing, strategic conversation & invitation to strategic processes</li></ul> | <ul><li>potentially all mentioned before</li><li>Financial and in-kind support to oikos in form of individual & institutional donations</li></ul> |

#### How do we coordinate partnerships

Partnerships require internal cooperation between several team members, depending on the individual case. A process from initial contact to the manifestation of a partnership (eg. in a MOU) can vary from 1 call to 2 years. partnerships currently are rather established based on eed ( of team or community) and/or chance/exploration in a certain moment where we meet a new potential partner through other friends of ours.  It is mainly the president & board member(s) with the partnership role(s) who steward the processes, involving other team members if needed or helpful. We coordinate partnerships with the help of the <mark style="background-color:orange;">partnership list</mark> and our CRM system salesforce. There, you can also find potential partners and other partnership opportunities. <mark style="background-color:orange;">The partnership domain is being revised and updated beginning of 2022, being further developed with trainings and tools for the team.</mark> Learn more in the[ partnership field guide](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tb1A2HwtjvbyQdY3DbyUcQzkVGuK8C1W538ly0pOI2o/edit?usp=sharing)