Initiating a Partnership

Partnerships may be formed from pre-existing relationships or brought together by special circumstances, such as being matched by a donor agency. The formalization of this relationship through a memorandum of understanding or other type of agreement often serves to solidify the partnership relationship and clarify roles and expectations. This section provides resources to help initiate a twinning partnership.

1. Finding a Partner- If you are looking for a partner organization, you may want to contact organizations where you or your colleagues know individuals with whom you already have professional relationships. Otherwise, you can try to find an organization that you know is interested in developing a new twinning relationship. The HIV/AIDS Twinning Center and the Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD) currently maintain databases of such organizations.

• HIV/AIDS Twinning Center Partner Database
• ICAD's Twinning Partner Database

2. Identify Partnership Coordinators - To get the partnership process moving, it is important to identify one or more key staff persons from each participating institution who will be responsible for managing the twinning relationship.

• Program Coordinator Job Description - This description was developed by AIHA to help partner institutions identify the partnership coordinators.

3. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) - An MOU is a non-legally binding agreement between partners that outlines the roles and responsibilities each party. It is also where the partners agree on what types of activities the partnership will focus on, based on preliminary planning and discussions among various stakeholders in the twinning relationship.

• AIHA Memorandum of Understanding
• ICAD Sample Contract

4. Sources of Funding - Finding sources of funding to support exchanges and other activities related to your partnership can be one of the most difficult tasks. The following links can help you get started in your search.

Grants and Funding Databases

• EurasiaHealth Grants and Funding Database - While this database includes many opportunities specific to organizations and projects in the Eurasia region, there are many opportunities that are generally related to health care as well.
• Twinning Center Grants and Funding Bulletin
• Foundation Center - Provides an online database of grant-giving foundations as well as resources on proposal writing.

Organizations That Specialize in Funding for Twinning Partnerships

• AIHA Solicitations
• HIV/AIDS Twinning Center Solicitations
• ESTHER: How to setup an ESTHER project
• Sister Cities International: How to Find a Sister City

Twinning Partnership Phases: