A Joint Venture by Three Equalities Groups in Bradford

Case Study 4: A Joint Venture by Three Equalities Groups in Bradford

Three Equalities Groups - Equity Partnership, and the Consortium of Ethnic Minority Organisations - each had a solid but separate track record delivering diversity training and innovative equalities work/ consultancy in their own individual fields of expertise.

The new Equality Bill will simplify and modernise discrimination law - generating potential demand in private, statutory and third sectors - and presenting a market opportunity to develop and deliver joint-strand equalities training.

The challenge was firstly to devise and implement a questionnaire framework to relate the partners' previous outcomes to a training needs assessment of market sectors in the District. Secondly, the consultant's remit was to undertake an option appraisal with the three partners and finally to draft a Partnership Agreement within which parties could undertake joint venture activities. The work was guided by detailed milestones to clarify the process.

After a series of facilitated meetings, the joint training collaboration is on course and has achieved its first commissioned training project!

Lessons learned include:

·  It was necessary but difficult to allocate time to the joint venture – small organisations with limited/ stretched staff resources.

·  Some tensions can be expected when organisations with different reach (local, sub-regional, regional) work together - and unsuspected cultural differences can become apparent!

Further information: dave@equitypartnership.org.uk web: www.equitypartnership.org.uk