Introducing the Collaborative Infrastructure Framework

Partners In Health United States (PIH-US) and the Deloitte Health Equity Institute (DHEI) are excited to announce the release of a new resource: a co-authored framework for collaborative infrastructure.

At PIH-US, we know how essential collaboration is to advancing health equity in the United States; our work partnering with communities across the country has demonstrated this. During the COVID-19 emergency, many high-impact collaborations emerged to address immediate needs, but without resilient infrastructure, these efforts cannot be sustained to address the systemic drivers of health inequity that fueled the crisis. In 2022, PIH-US began work with DHEI to synthesize lessons from our work, as well as from other leaders in the field, and distill them into a framework that offers a guide to drive sustained collective action and meaningful change through strengthening collaborative infrastructure.

But what do we mean by collaborative infrastructure and why is it important?  Within the context of health equity, collaborative infrastructure refers to a network of partnerships—among community members, organizers, government, service providers, and more—all pooling resources, expertise, and influence. No single organization or institution can drive equitable health outcomes alone. Structured collaboration across a community enables diverse groups with shared aspirations to: 

• Align on community priorities and a common agenda 
• Share resources, knowledge, and skills across organizations
• Identify and steward funding opportunities more equitably
• Sustain collective action for the long-term 

At PIH-US we believe that strong collaborative infrastructure helps advance health equity because it leverages multi-sector partnerships and grassroots organizations to advance community-driven solutions and ensure that resources are distributed more equitably in the short-term, while working to disrupt deep-rooted power dynamics and systems that hold back justice and equity in the long term.

The Collaborative Infrastructure Framework is a tool designed for organizations, health departments, leaders, and coalitions to think about with whom, how, and why they collaborate with others to advance health equity, either within a community or on a specific project. Whether part of a national organization, a small local nonprofit, or an individual leader, this framework aims to help users ask appropriate questions, make strategic decisions, and form partnerships that drive impact.

Inside you'll find:

• Four chapters designed to help groups think through the important elements and questions to ask when collaborating
• Interactive tools and exercises to help guide your work 
• Case studies that spotlight how others have built powerful collaborative networks—and the lessons they’ve learned along the way

Are you a community leader looking to make a bigger impact? A health department ready to deepen your partnerships? A coalition figuring out how to tackle complex challenges? The Collaborative Infrastructure Framework is for anyone passionate about creating healthier, more equitable communities. 

Download the Collaborative Infrastructure Framework to access helpful tools for action.