Are the conditions right to build or join a network or alliance?

Not sure if a network or alliance is right for your program? Use this list of questions to reflect on and discuss collaboration opportunities with potential partners.  

• Do you have common issues, concerns or threats that may be the focus of joint efforts?
• Do you have a similar environment and geography, and/or common concerns for land and waters?
• Are there opportunities to leverage and share resources and to collectively strengthen capacity?
• Do positive relationships between network members exist? Is there an interest in working collaboratively together?
• Is there ease of communications, exchange, and physical access between communities?
• Are there commonalities of culture or way of life, governance systems, and politics?

If the answers to these questions suggest a network or alliance is the right move for your program, take a moment to pause and critically ask how your guardian program can effectively engage in and commit to such an initiative. Then, if you’re ready to move forward, build the work of the network into your funding proposals, budgets, work plans, schedules, and reporting. 

Check out the story "Indigenous Guardian Networks Grounded in Cultural Values".