Why long-term collaboration still isn’t the norm

Insights|June 13, 2025

At Roschier’s Almedalen stage, cross-sector collaboration takes center stage. In this deep-dive, Reach for Change shares what it really takes to move from good intentions to lasting impact.

From vision to practice: How do you translate the idea of “long-term collaboration” into concrete, everyday actions across sectors that often have very different timelines, incentives, and ways of working?

At Reach for Change, we collaborate across sectors to support social innovation that creates real, lasting change where it’s needed most. Translating “long-term collaboration” into practice means being intentional from the start – co-creating goals, defining roles clearly, and making space for each sector’s strengths and constraints. We’ve learned that structured processes, open communication, and a willingness to adapt are key. Even when timelines and incentives differ, we stay focused on long-term impact – empowering social entrepreneurs to build sustainable solutions where change is most needed.

What role do trust and shared values play in your collaborations, and how do you build and sustain that trust over time – especially in the face of external pressures or shifting priorities?

Trust and shared values are the foundation of any successful cross-sector collaboration. In our experience, trust is built through transparency, consistency, and shared ownership of both the challenges and the successes. We make it a priority to create spaces where all partners, including social innovators, feel heard and respected. We work intentionally to shift power dynamics by inviting vulnerability and valuing lived experience alongside technical expertise. It’s important to be honest also when things aren’t working, and to continually revisit our shared “why.”

When external pressures arise, like funding uncertainties or political shifts, it’s the foundation of trust that allows us to stay in dialogue and adapt together. Without it, partnerships become transactional and short-lived. With it, they have the potential of becoming truly transformative.

Based on your experience, what systemic changes are still needed to truly support long-term, scalable collaboration for social innovation in Sweden – and what would you like to see policymakers do today to make that happen?

We need to move from short-term, project-based funding to systems that build long-term relationships and trust. Right now, the funding landscape often rewards quick wins over real, lasting change, which makes deep, cross-sector collaboration difficult to sustain.

At Reach for Change, we see this every day and work actively to push for a shift. Policymakers can play a big role here. They can support collaborative structures like pooled funding, multi-year framework agreements, or outcome-based models that promote shared responsibility. They can also invest in intermediaries that connect sectors and help partnerships thrive over time. And maybe most importantly, they can lead by example, embedding long-term thinking into policy and procurement.

But above all, we need a shift in mindset: from viewing civil society and social entrepreneurs as service providers, to recognizing them as strategic partners in shaping the future. That shift begins with policy, but it requires leadership across all sectors.

This article is written by Reach for Change as a part of our partnership at House of Many Voices Almedalen edition. Read more here.