Towards Transformation: Progressing Partnerships within the DEC

Commissioned by the DEC Secretariat and prepared by Humanitarian Advisory Group (HAG) in partnership with GLOW Consultants, KAE Consulting, and NSDation, this research reviews partnership practices across DEC appeals in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Turkiye and Syria. It aims to develop a shared understanding of equitable and transformational partnerships for the DEC Secretariat and its 15 member charities, using the effective intermediaries model as its conceptual framework.

The report identifies three key themes: the diversity of partnerships is largely driven by organisational and contextual factors; motivation to shift towards more transformative partnerships needs to be leveraged and tested; and structural change is required within the DEC to create space for members to shift practices. It proposes a shared vision, definitions, and a pathway to change for progressing partnerships across future appeals.