Collaboration is vital for sustainable development globally, as thousands of organizations and governments work towards shared goals. Without effective collaboration, efforts are duplicated, knowledge is lost, and impact is stunted. Collaborative networks in the development community are everywhere, from informal online communities of practice, to formal partnerships with designated coordination bodies.

One example of the latter is the Earth observation community, which is working within the framework of the Group on Earth Observations to promote the use of open Earth data in decision making for the benefit of humankind.

A significant challenge GEO and other partnerships often face is being inclusive and collaborative across a large and diverse community, while still being targeted enough to deliver results that matter. One way that GEO is tackling this challenge is by aligning our work around three strategic engagement priorities that address key global policy mandates: The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Paris Agreement on climate change, and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

By defining priority areas, organizations are better oriented to connect with the right partners. Once your priorities are defined, you can research the organizations leading the charge and making impact in these areas and connect with them to share how your work will complement or further their own.

Read the full the article about improving collaboration for global development by Steven Ramage at Devex.