1- Situation

WWF Sweden’s program, which operates at the intersection of human rights, community mobilization, and natural resource management, sought to explore and improve the equity of relationships among key stakeholders. The learning review aimed to understand how “equality in partnerships” is defined, identify the power dynamics at play, and pinpoint the factors contributing to an equal partnership.

2- Process

The process involved a series of workshops using both cognitive and non-cognitive participatory tools to foster honest dialogue. This approach created a safe space where participants could freely express their views. As the workshops progressed, there was a notable shift in group dynamics, with increased self-organization and collaboration among multi-stakeholder groups. Civil society organization (CSO) members began to take on more active facilitation and leadership roles.
Inclusion was a priority, with multilingual translations enabling participation from diverse linguistic backgrounds, including Thai, Portuguese, and Vietnamese. This enriched the discussions and ensured a wider range of perspectives were considered.

3- Results

The participatory process revealed that the partnership is evolving from a transactional to a more transformative relationship. This shift aligns with concepts from leadership and organizational communication, highlighting the potential for deeper, more meaningful collaboration. The findings suggest that by addressing internal power dynamics and fostering mutual respect and participation, partnerships can become more equitable and effective.