Summary of lessons learned

From donor to partner: How can the FCDO work effectively with the private sector to tackle the complex global challenges of climate change, supply chain resilience, inclusive growth, and the wider SDGs?

1. Create more opportunities for open dialogue between business and the FCDO.

Provide clear ‘ways-in’ for businesses to engage with the FCDO and maintain on-going dialogue.

2. Clearly articulate the FCDO’s value proposition & priorities

Codify the core capabilities of the FCDO to provide a clear offering that complements businesses’ own strengths. Identify priorities amongst SDGs to avoid being spread too thinly over vast and complex problems.

3. Move from a donor/ grantee dynamic to co-creative partnerships

Establish co-creative partnerships that work on a peer-to-peer basis and supplant the donor/ grantee dynamics that have formerly governed FCDO-funded programmes.

4. Build relationships and make commitments over the long-term

Seek long-term engagements that persist beyond the lifecycle of specific initiatives, to allow for trust to build, working relationships to mature, and deeper systemic impact to be reached.

5. Use existing networks, adopting a diversified approach to specific sectors and different sized companies.

Tap into existing industry, cross-industry, and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) forums to understand the landscape of existing actors and collaborators and identify the opportunities for greatest value addition by the FCDO.

6. Start with targeted action, whilst seeking systemic impact

Secure strong engagement from private sector partners by working on issues with demonstrable effects on specific supply chains, while seeking to build wider coalitions of action that can amplify learnings and innovations across sectors.

7. Deliver using a lean independent management function

Use a neutral intermediary party to provide essential oversight and accountability, and ensure this function is as lean and facilitative as possible.

8. Retain flexibility and agility

Look to match the pace of private sector partners by being flexible around methods of delivery, whilst maintaining a focus on the mutually agreed outcome.

9. Manage risk collaboratively to seed innovation

Work collaboratively with private sector partners to manage risks. Seek already trusted partnerships as initial anchors, whilst testing newer partnerships as part of a wider portfolio.

10. Harvest learning & manage knowledge

As a neutral non-commercial actor, be the agent that spreads learnings to relevant wider stakeholders, doing so by making sure lessons are tailored for maximum relevance and engagement.