A Case Study of NGO Collaboration in the Norwegian Alcohol Policy Arena

The purpose of this study was to increase the knowledge base on the processes through which health promotion partnerships function by testing a newly developed model, The Bergen Model of Collaborative Functioning. The project applied a case study design utilising data from in-depth interviews with nine informants from a Norwegian partnership of NGOs engaged in alcohol policy. The results show that the partners collaborate well and have achieved results in the starting-up phase of the partnership. In collaboration, the partners have created policy platforms, defining common ground, constituting effective tools for effective actions on alcohol policy issues. Input interaction, leadership, good structures and defined roles secure partner independence and integrity, as well as partner values, creating positive cycles of interaction. Sufficient financial resources were found to reduce conflicts, thus affecting partner motivation to invest and find compromises, in addition to finance an effective secretariat. However, resource asymmetry between the partnership and the members, reinforced by ineffective communication encourage the partners to leave partnership work to the professional staff . The Bergen Model of Collaborative Functioning proved a serviceable framework and a guide to analyse this partnership. A partnership with different cultural, ideological, and religious values can avoid conflicts and enhance functioning if partner values are included into the partnership’s assets, and transformed into a partnership culture of respect. An effective staff of professionals can enhance partner equity and participation; however, it may also lead to passive partners, compromising the legitimacy of the partnership