Collaborating from within: organizational conditions and tools for strong networks

Social profit organisations are under increasing pressure and need to collaborate more across sectors. This requires not only strong networks but also strong collaboration capacity. In this VLAIO TETRA project, Artevelde University of Applied Sciences and Odisee work together with the professional field to develop knowledge and tools that strengthen this capacity.
In short

Collaboration with other organisations is essential for delivering high-quality care and welfare services. Yet building sustainable partnerships within networks remains challenging. This research explores how care and welfare organisations can strengthen their collaboration capacity, enabling them to participate more effectively in intersectoral collaborations.
Need and relevance

Policy developments increasingly encourage organisations to work together across sectors. At the same time, complex care needs, staff shortages and limited resources create additional challenges. Existing knowledge mainly focuses on collaboration between organisations, while internal organisational factors such as vision, structure, processes, culture and competences play a crucial role in successful collaboration. This research identifies these building blocks and translates them into practical knowledge that helps organisations prepare for and strengthen sustainable collaboration.
From approach to impact

We combine literature research with co-creation and practice-based research. Together with care and welfare organisations, we develop and test a practical guide in several pilot settings. The guide supports organisations in evaluating, strengthening and further developing their collaboration policy through practical methods, reflection frameworks, examples and tools. In this way, the research contributes to stronger organisations that can build sustainable networks and create greater societal impact.