A 2025 report from Independent Philanthropy Association of South Africa (IPASA) builds on the organisation’s efforts to promote an enabling environment for funder and multistakeholder collaboration in the education sector. The report, Collaboration in South Africa: Themes and Insights for Funders, presents a series of case studies, offering practical insights for the sector.
IPASA has long promoted funder and multistakeholder collaboration. A case study published in 2022, in collaboration with National Association of Social Change Entities in Education (NASCEE), highlighted the depth of collaboration required to effect real change in systems such as education. Case study analysis revealed the need for shared meaning, building collective values and recognition of mutual interdependence. It spoke to the importance of trust, willingness to learn, the importance of acknowledging power dynamics and the importance of partner-centric collaboration.
The 2025 report draws on these learnings, presenting a series of nine new case studies of education collaborations. These vary in scale from small community-based initiatives to national programmes and reflect a variety of funder types, different education focus areas and geographic representation. While they showcase a range of long-term and newer initiatives, each is selected for the collaboration innovation or learning potential it offers.
The case studies span diverse contexts from early childhood development to initial teacher education, basic literacy programmes to climate content in the curriculum and community-based initiatives to large national programmes.
For CSI managers, foundation staff and corporate funders navigating complex multi-stakeholder initiatives, the report acknowledges that successful collaboration may not be quick or comfortable, but it is essential for systemic change.
Read the full report Collaboration in South Africa: Themes and Insights for Funders.
