Transformative collaboration in action2 Collaboration is complex and challenging – rigorous planning, strong relationship-building and strategic alignment are needed at every stage. Transformative multi-stakeholder partnerships for climate and nature are inherently complex. To succeed, they demand rigorous planning, strong relationship-building and ongoing alignment. Systemic barriers often stand in the way: fragmented sectors with siloed stakeholders, misaligned incentives, funding shortfalls and regulatory uncertainty can all hinder progress. Internally, collaborators may face challenges around data-sharing and attributing impact, especially given the long-term nature of environmental projects. By proactively addressing these obstacles at every stage, organizations can foster more resilient, effective collaborations that drive lasting change. The following three stages of partnership-building and the practices involved are common across all the case studies examined in this report and are pivotal to their success. Systemic barriers to collaboration include fragmented sectors with siloed stakeholders, misaligned incentives, funding shortfalls and regulatory uncertainty. Establishing collaboration –Internal scoping: Clearly define internal organizational priorities and the strategic rationale for collaboration. Assess internal capabilities and secure executive sponsorship. –External scanning: Identify collaborators based on sector context, influence, technical expertise, mandate alignment and ecosystem fit. –Shared alignment: Articulate a shared view of success and mutual value. Define collective objectives and metrics, and clarify roles. –Governance and resourcing: Establish clear decision-making structures and inclusive governance. Ensure fit-for-purpose financing and resourcing, aligned to ambition level and agreed time horizon. Building trust and measuring impact –Coordinating solutions: Consistently engage collaborators to surface priorities and challenges. Collectively develop solutions and coordinate joint initiatives. –Strengthening trust: Deliver on agreed commitments in line with clearly defined responsibilities. Address issues proactively and collaboratively. –Measuring impact: Agree interim targets, metrics, milestones and an impact measurement and reporting approach. Attributing and quantifying impact is a particular challenge in initiatives seeking industry- or system-wide impact. Partnerships may require a pragmatic approach initially, using proxy metrics such as collaborator engagement. Expanding collaboration and deepening impact –Continuously improving: Proactively strengthen partner engagement over the long term, supported by robust measurement and reporting to refine and adapt approaches. –Scaling-up and replication: Target systemic impact by identifying opportunities to replicate and scale-up collaborative approach through new sectors, partners, geographies or initiatives. Codify learnings to aid repeatability. The case studies that follow provide practical examples of these insights and how they can help partnerships to overcome common barriers at all stages.2.1 Three stages of partnership-building Stage 1 Stage 2Stage 3 Making Collaboration Work for Climate and Nature: Practical Insights from GAEA Award Winners 11