5.2 Partnering with Organizations
You’ve defined your MVP and even visualized it with paper prototypes. That’s fantastic progress! Now, let’s think outwards. Solving big problems is rarely done alone. Could collaborating with others – forming Partnerships – help your Technovation project succeed and make a bigger impact?
Lesson Topic: 5.2 Partnering with Organizations
Part 1: What is a Real Partnership? (More Than Just Help)
When we talk about a Partner in this context, we mean an individual or, more often, an organization (like a company, NGO, school, or government agency) that you decide to formally work with because you share similar goals related to the problem your app is addressing.
This is different from the informal help you get from mentors, teachers, or family who advise you. A partnership is usually more structured and involves a two-way exchange:
- You work together towards common objectives.
- They help you achieve your project goals (e.g., by providing resources, access, or expertise).
- They also gain something in return. This benefit for the partner is key! It could be:
- Publicity/Goodwill: Being associated with an innovative youth project for social good.
- Access to Your Solution: Using your app to improve their own work or reach their clients/beneficiaries more effectively.
- Data/Insights: Access to anonymized data (with user consent!) that helps them understand the problem better.
- Direct Payment: In some cases (like service provision), you might pay them for their services.
Part 2: Why Team Up? (Benefits of Partners)
Forming the right partnership can give your project a significant boost:
- Reach Your Users Faster: Your potential partner might already have strong connections with the very people you want your app to help!
- Ugandan Example: If your app helps youth find apprenticeships, partnering with local vocational training institutes or established youth NGOs (like those working in Jinja) could connect you directly with motivated young people and potential employers. The partner benefits by offering a valuable new tool to their network.
- Another Example: An app promoting local tourism could partner with the Jinja City Tourism Office or local hotels to reach visitors.
- Get Services You Need (Without Building Them Yourself): Your app might need a real-world service component that’s too complex or expensive for you to set up alone.
- Ugandan Example: If your app helps schedule nurses for home visits, instead of hiring nurses directly, you could partner with existing home healthcare agencies or clinics in Jinja. Your app handles the scheduling and communication, while they provide the trained nurses (perhaps you arrange a fee structure).
- Gain Expertise & Credibility: Partners might have deep knowledge about the problem you’re solving, years of experience, or a trusted reputation in the community.
- Example: Partnering with a respected agricultural research institute (like NARO) could lend credibility and provide expert content for your farming advice app.
- Access Resources: Partners might offer resources you lack, such as meeting spaces, distribution channels, or even potential funding opportunities later on.
Part 3: Finding Your Allies (How to Find Potential Partners)
Where do you look for these potential collaborators?
- Search Online: Use Google! Search for terms like:
- “NGOs working on [your problem area] in Jinja / Uganda”
- “Organizations supporting youth education Uganda”
- “Waste management companies Jinja”
- “Ministry of Health Uganda programmes for [your health topic]”
- Ask Your Users & Community: When you did user research or tested your prototype, did anyone mention existing organizations working on this issue? Ask people directly!
- Local Institutions:
- Universities: Check Makerere University Jinja Campus, Busitema University Faculty of Engineering (if relevant), UCU Mbale, etc. Are there relevant departments or research projects?
- Schools/Districts: If your app is education-related, could you partner with specific schools or the District Education Office?
- Local Government: Are there relevant Jinja City Council or District departments (e.g., Health, Environment, Community Development)?
- CBOs (Community-Based Organisations): Many smaller, local groups do fantastic work. Can you identify any in your area?
- Use Your Network: Talk to your teachers, mentors, club leaders, parents, religious leaders. Do they know anyone working at an organization that aligns with your project? A personal introduction or referral can be very powerful in Uganda.
Part 4: Making Contact (Communication Strategy)
Once you’ve identified a potential partner, how do you approach them? Be professional and prepared!
- Your Introduction (Prepare a Script!): Plan what you want to say, especially for a phone call. Include:
- Who you are: “Good morning/afternoon, my name is [Your Name] and I’m calling from the [Your School/ICT Club Name] Technovation Girls team.”
- Your Project: “We are participating in a global technology competition and building a mobile app to help address the issue of [briefly state the problem your app solves] in our community.”
- Why Them: “We understand that your organization, [Their Organization Name], does important work related to [their relevant area], and we were very impressed by [mention something specific if you can].”
- The Ask (Initial Interest): “We believe there might be an opportunity for us to collaborate or support each other’s goals. Would you be open to a brief conversation sometime next week to learn more about our project and explore potential synergies?”
- Explain the “Win-Win”: Be ready to briefly explain how they might benefit (e.g., “Our app could potentially help you reach more people with your health messages,” or “We could offer visibility for your support of youth innovation”).
- Phone Call Often Best: In Uganda, making a polite phone call during working hours is often more effective for a first contact than sending an email, which might get lost. Try to get the name and title of the right person to speak to if possible (maybe someone in charge of community programs, partnerships, or a relevant department).
- Persistence (Politely!): Organizations are busy! If you call and leave a message, or send an email and don’t hear back, don’t give up immediately. Wait a week or so and try a polite follow-up call or email. But also respect their time if they indicate they are not interested or able to partner right now.
Part 5: Let’s Find Partners! (Activity – Focus on Planning)
Time to put this into action by planning your outreach.
Your Mission: Identify 2-3 specific, relevant potential partners for your project and prepare to contact one.
Task:
- Brainstorm & Research: Based on your project’s goal and the methods above, list 2-3 specific organizations, departments, or even key individuals (like a specific researcher or community leader) in or relevant to Jinja/Uganda who could be potential partners.
- Find Contact Info: Do your best to find a relevant phone number (preferred) or email address for each potential partner. Check their website, social media, or ask your network.
- Draft a Phone Script: Write down the key talking points for your initial phone call, following the guidelines above. Make it clear, concise, and polite. Practice reading it aloud so you feel comfortable.
- (Optional but Encouraged) Make the Call/Send Email: If you feel ready, try calling one of the potential partners using your script. If you can’t call, draft and send a polite, professional email based on your script.
- Document Your Efforts: Keep a simple log:
- Partner Name & Contact Info
- Date/Time Called or Emailed
- Person Spoken To / Message Left / Email Sent To
- Outcome / Next Steps (e.g., “Scheduled call for Tuesday,” “Left message,” “No answer,” “Email sent”). This helps you stay organized and follow up appropriately.
Part 6: Collaboration is Key (Final Thoughts)
Building partnerships can seem daunting, but it’s a powerful strategy. Collaborating with others can bring new energy, resources, and reach to your Technovation project, making it more sustainable and impactful in the long run. Even just making contact and having conversations is valuable networking experience. Remember to focus on how the partnership can benefit both sides.
Part 7: Quick Review (Key Concepts)
- Partner: An organization/individual you formally work with for mutual benefit.
- Partnership Benefits: Access (users, expertise), credibility, service provision, resources.
- Two-Way Street / Mutual Benefit: Essential for a strong partnership. Both sides should gain value.
Conclusion
Mwebale kurowooza! (Thank you for thinking!) Considering partnerships shows strategic thinking about your project’s real-world potential. Don’t be afraid to reach out politely and professionally. The connections you make could be incredibly valuable, now and in the future. Complete the activity by identifying potential partners and preparing your approach! Mukama abawe essanyu! (May God give you joy!)
What is a Community Based Organization (CBO)? | PublicInput
