Partnerships Central (partnershipscentral.org), is an online, one-stop shop of information, services, tools and networking facilities, based around an extensive multimedia showcase of partnership initiatives. This innovative and ambitious project features the triple objectives of supporting the development and potential of partnerships (information access, capacity building and networking), promoting and multiplying innovative partnership solutions (communication, outreach and dissemination of best practice), and linking partnership achievements to government commitments and development goals (policy in action).

Hundreds of sustainable development partnerships have been announced and posted on various isolated websites. But until now, there exists no collective service for listing these efforts, tracking and showcasing their successes, supplying assistance tools to facilitate achievement, or providing guidance for the development of new partnerships.

The nexus of Partnerships Central is the Partnership Showcase, which establishes a common home for partnerships from all sectors across all regions. This central clearinghouse enables a visitor to see across the full spectrum of partnership projects – to learn about or contribute to a particular project; to learn about all projects in a particular sector; or to learn more about projects operating in a particular region. For instance, donor agencies wishing to provide development funds to Brazil can quickly discover which projects are currently in operation, the partners involved and their objectives. Likewise, parties interested in starting a new project for delivering freshwater or modern energy can search for innovative ideas and good practices. By tracking successes and accomplishments, the showcase also delivers information to government planners on partnership contributions toward achieving develop-ment goals.

Since effective networking is critical, the Partnership Showcase is constructed around information portals for key sectors, beginning with the WEHAB priorities highlighted at WSSD, and extending to other sectors including information & communication technology, finance, transport, mining & minerals and education. The portals enable organisations to showcase effectively their sustainable develop-ment partnerships. Moreover, the portals facilitate networking on topics of interest and enable parties to zero-in on pertinent information, developments, and new initiatives in each sector.

Partnerships Central will:

• Create a central location to enable relevant organisations to showcase their successful sustainable development partnerships, collectively demonstrating their contributions towards implementing WSSD declarations, Millennium Development Goals and governmental commitments.
  
  
• Enhance the effectiveness of partnerships by providing information, services and tools to assist in the development of new and ongoing projects.
  
  
• Build a learning network to share lessons learned, promote innovative best practice, and facilitate knowledge exchange.