There is intense interest in alliances.  At the recent meeting of CIVICUS — World Alliance for Citizen Participation – in Budapest, representatives from governments, companies and non-profit organizations, as well as other organizations like the World Bank, all stressed the need to create partnerships.  Partnerships designed to contribute to the regeneration of poorer areas are burgeoning all around the world.

Alliance is aimed at those with a global perspective interested in delivering effectively at the local level — somewhere.  Somewhere can be in Hackney, London, or Queens, New York, or Soweto, Johannesburg.  Or in the rural areas of north Ghana or the crowded areas of west Bengal. Partnerships can concern the provision of micro-credit for small businesses or the provision of water, sewage and electricity to whole townships.