The Partnership Fund

What is partnership at work?

Partnership at work is about joint approaches to solving business problems; implementing change through the consultation and involvement of employees; emphasising shared culture and shared learning; helping to improve the balance between work and home; and recognising the rights and responsibilities of both management and employees.

Partnership at work is about developing better employment relations within the workplace. It is not about developing wider partnerships between organisations.

Why is the government providing help?

The Partnership Fund is an essential part of the Governments non-legislative approach to improve relationships between employers and employees in order to secure productivity improvements. To date the Partnership Fund has supported a variety of different organisations to develop projects that solve business problems; improve workplace relationships, horizontally and vertically; implement schemes to enhance work-life balance; and disseminate best practice solutions to a wider audience. Dissemination projects include the TUC & Involvement Participation Association, the benefits and experience of which will be disseminated throughout and beyond both organisations.

Successful projects

The Partnership Fund is currently sponsoring 111 projects across 3 rounds, distributing £3.8 Million in the pursuance of Best Practice in Partnership. At present the assessment of the 4th round winners is in progress.

The Fund provides up to £50,000 matched funding for each project. The Secretary of State announced a £20 million package of support over 2 years for the Partnership Fund amongst other Government best practice initiatives. This increased funding will support the planned expansion of the Fund into national, regional, and also sectoral levels in addition to the existing grants at organisational levels.

For more information, please go to www.dti.gov.uk/partnershipfund