Effective collaboration between community and public sector organisations is vital to support community action and increase community wellbeing. This project explored not just what makes multisector collaboration effective, but also how it can be developed and enhanced in specific contexts. 

The findings from the evidence review and the workshop have been developed into a ‘Framework for Action’ identifying tangible actions that can be taken in different contexts to develop multisector collaboration that enhances community action and wellbeing. Rather than merely describing what good multisector collaboration looks like, it aims to outline some options for achieving it.

Factors supporting multisector collaboration

1. Quality of existing relationships
2. Establish or build on existing partnerships and network
3. Deliberate trust building
4. Support, training and capacity building
5. Actions to promote and support good relationships
6. Organisational culture, attitudes and practices
7. Investing in infrastructure and planning for delivery
8. Clarity and transparency about expectations and plans
9. Joint decision making
10. Long term approach

The report notes that even the most advanced governance arrangements would be unlikely to succeed without being underpinned by shared purpose and activities to develop that purpose. Similarly, funding arrangements antagonistic to collaborative working would hinder success. The evidence review indicates that effective multisector collaboration involves adopting different types of actions that suit the specific collaboration context and that are taken over appropriate timescales by a range of actors.