Oxford researchers, ShikshaLokam release blueprint for government-civil society collaboration

The collaborative playbook identifies three critical pillars needed to build effective working relationships between government agencies and civil society actors: establishing clear roles and responsibilities, integrating with existing public systems rather than creating parallel structures, and developing sustainable trust between stakeholders.

The initiative addresses a persistent challenge in South and Southeast Asia, where government-civil society partnerships often suffer from ambiguity around decision-making authority, duplication of efforts, and mutual distrust. By codifying best practices and lessons learned, the playbook aims to provide practical guidance for organisations seeking to strengthen these partnerships.

ShikshaLokam, which focuses on education policy and systems change, collaborated with researchers from Oxford University to synthesise evidence and case studies from the region. The framework emphasises working within existing institutional structures and public systems to ensure sustainability and broader impact of collaborative initiatives.

The playbook comes as governments and NGOs across South and Southeast Asia increasingly recognise the need for coordinated action on complex development challenges ranging from education to health and environmental protection. Officials and civil society leaders can use the resource to navigate common pitfalls and establish partnerships with clearer expectations and mutual accountability.