Intersectoral Collaboration

Intersectoral collaboration is the coming together of different people, organizations and sectors to work together to understand and solve complex issues. These partnerships are mutually beneficial relationships that bring together different perspectives, knowledge and skills for increased effectiveness, efficiency, quality and sustainability. With an enhanced capacity to resolve complex health and social issues, inter-sectoral collaboration can result in significant and sustainable change.

Some benefits of inter-sectoral collaboration may be:

• Sharing of resources, knowledge and expertise

• Reduced duplication of effort, coordination and a unified voice

• Innovation to address complex issues

• Building of positive relationships for the long-term

• Potential for greater impact

• With the involvement of more partners there is greater credibility and a broader base of support

Factors for successful collaboration may include:

• Appropriate partners who work well together

• Commitment

• Effective communication

• Common goals, vision, and values

• Clear objectives for action

• Inclusive approach with the engagement of key partners at the beginning

• Each partner has a sense of ownership and accountability

• Effective leadership, structures, linkages and processes

• Adequate resources

• Good teamwork, relationships and communication

• Flexibility and time given to the process

In the North, some specific challenges for collaboration may include:

• Staff time constraints and high staff turnover

• Funding restrictions

• Lack of coordination and leadership, and not enough communication among services

• Climate and weather

• Geographic distances

• Higher cost of living and resources

• Smaller populations, and fewer resources and services in rural areas

• Political environment

• Other priorities

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