Partnership
Partnership are cooperative arrangements between government agencies, or between government and other entities (such as private sector organizations, non-profits, or state and local governments) to achieve shared objectives. These partnerships are often formalized through agreements, memoranda of understanding (MOUs), contracts, or legislation, ensuring that there's a clear framework for cooperation, roles, responsibilities, and resource sharing. The goal is generally to enhance efficiency, share expertise, leverage resources, and achieve outcomes that might be difficult for one entity to accomplish alone.
Interagency partnerships
These are collaborations between different federal agencies to address complex issues that require coordinated action. For example, the partnership between the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for disaster response.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
These involve cooperation between the government and private sector companies. The aim can be to finance, build, and operate projects like infrastructure (e.g., highways, bridges), where the private sector might bring in expertise or capital. An example is the partnership for the development of the Long Beach Courthouse in California.
Public–private partnerships in the United States
Federal-State/Local Partnerships
These partnerships leverage the resources and capabilities of federal agencies with state or local governments to implement programs more effectively, like the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program where federal funds are used for local community development projects.
International Partnerships
The U.S. government also forms partnerships with international bodies or foreign governments for various purposes like trade, security, or environmental protection. The U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council is one such partnership addressing trade and technology issues.
Non-Profit and NGO Partnerships
Government agencies might partner with non-profits or NGOs to deliver services or conduct research, especially in areas like public health, education, or environmental conservation. An example would be partnerships with organizations like the Red Cross for disaster relief.