Capacity-building approaches have long shaped relationships between organisations in volunteering and development. While they remain relevant, they also have limitations when not embedded within more balanced partnership approaches based on reciprocity, co-design, and the recognition of local expertise. In this context, there is a growing need to critically reflect on power dynamics and move towards decolonising partnerships and relationships. 

This workshop will explore how to design partnerships that go beyond capacity building alone. It will examine the mindsets, ways of working, and tools needed to build more balanced, sustainable relationships grounded in the realities of partners. 

The session will focus on what it takes to move from support-based approaches to partnership-based models, including shared decision-making, joint priority setting, recognition of local knowledge, as well as approaches to collaboration that are adapted to different contexts.  

Drawing on practical experiences and peer exchange, participants will identify approaches they can apply in their own organisations to build more balanced partnerships.  

Key takeaways: 

• Understand the limitations of capacity-building approaches and the need for more balanced partnerships, including a critical reflection on power dynamics  
• Identify ways to build partnerships based on reciprocity, co-design, and local expertise  
• Develop strategies to structure sustainable partnerships, including shared decision-making and joint priority setting