COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE ACADEME AND CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS IN ENHANCING LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE DELIVERY

This qualitative descriptive study explored the collaboration and partnership between the academe and civil society organizations in enhancing the delivery of services by local governments. Results of the interviews were transcribed and coded accordingly to derive the themes. Thematic anaylsis was conducted based on the narratives shared by the respondents/participants which resulted to three themes and nine subtheme. These included (1) enabling and hindering factors on effective collaboration and partnership with five subthemes: (a) communication or feedback system, (b) policy or mandate for partnership, (c) politics or political affiliations, (d) leadership factor, and (e) funding or budget concerns; (2) best practices of partnership with subthemes (a) complementary roles between partners and (b) flexibility and adaptability in partnership; and (3) government support and recognition by the local government to the academe and CSOs partnership with subthemes (a) provision of capacity building and training, and (b) politics as a barrier or challenge in receiving government support and recognition. The findings showed the enabling and hindering factors encountered by the participants, the best practices of the academe, CSOs in their collaborative efforts to the community. Based on the results of the study, significant recommendations were given to address the challenges of politics, leadership, and funding that would ultimately improve the delivery of public services and the well-being of all stakeholders.