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Community building glossary

Joint venture communities

Communities formed through partnerships between organisations or groups to achieve shared objectives.

Communities often emerge organically around shared interests or needs. However, in today’s interconnected and increasingly collaborative landscape, more and more communities are being strategically formed through partnerships between organisations or groups. These are known as joint venture communities — spaces designed to achieve shared objectives through collective resources, audiences, and expertise.

Unlike solo initiatives, joint venture communities bring together multiple stakeholders who each have a vested interest in the community’s success. When executed well, they can create powerful ecosystems of value exchange, fostering deeper connections between members and unlocking new opportunities for growth.

What are joint venture communities?

A joint venture community is a community that is:

Created and managed collaboratively by two or more organisations or groups
Designed around mutually agreed objectives or missions
Open to members from each partner organisation, and often beyond
Focused on delivering shared benefits, such as thought leadership, support, innovation, or advocacy

Unlike traditional brand-led communities, where one organisation is typically the driving force, joint venture communities are co-owned spaces where decision-making, resource allocation, and engagement strategies are shared.

Why organisations create joint venture communities

Joint venture communities are formed to combine strengths and achieve outcomes that may not be possible individually. Typical goals include:

Expanding reach: Accessing new audiences through partner networks
Driving innovation: Bringing together complementary skills, knowledge, and perspectives
Sharing resources: Reducing the burden on a single organisation and increasing efficiency
Creating cross-sector impact: Solving complex challenges that require collaboration across industries or fields
Enhancing credibility: Building trust and legitimacy by aligning with respected partners

At their best, these communities create win-win scenarios where partners, members, and broader ecosystems all benefit.

Common formats and examples of joint venture communities

Joint venture communities can take many forms depending on the nature of the partnership and objectives. Examples include:

Industry alliances or consortiums
Organisations from the same or complementary sectors join forces to promote standards, share insights, or advocate for shared causes.
Example: Technology alliances supporting interoperability.
Co-hosted learning communities
Universities, training providers, or professional bodies collaborate to create education and peer-to-peer support spaces.
Example: Joint certification programmes with dedicated learner communities.
Partner ecosystems
Software vendors and implementation partners creating communities for shared customers.
Example: Developer or user communities maintained by multiple technology partners.
Non-profit and corporate partnerships
NGOs and corporate sponsors creating joint communities around shared missions (e.g. sustainability, health).
Example: Global forums convened by UN bodies and private sector leaders.

Key benefits of joint venture communities

Shared risk and investment

By collaborating, partners can:

Distribute the operational and financial responsibilities
Access combined human and technical resources
Reduce duplication of effort

This makes ambitious community projects more feasible and sustainable.

Diverse perspectives and expertise

Bringing together organisations from different backgrounds increases:

The diversity of voices and ideas within the community
Opportunities for peer learning and innovation
Relevance across wider audiences

It enhances the overall value proposition.

Stronger network effects

Joint venture communities typically benefit from:

Greater initial member base (by combining audiences)
Cross-promotion opportunities
Increased visibility and credibility through association

These factors drive faster growth and deeper engagement.

Mission alignment and collective impact

By working together, partners can align on bigger objectives such as:

Industry transformation
Social good initiatives
Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Joint venture communities become vehicles for meaningful change, not just engagement.

Challenges and considerations

While powerful, joint venture communities also introduce complexities:

Governance and decision-making

Who sets the direction and makes final decisions?
How are roles, responsibilities, and recognition shared?
How will conflicts or differing priorities be resolved?

Clear governance models are essential.

Brand balance and identity

How visible should each partner be?
Will the community have a neutral or co-branded identity?
How will competing commercial interests be managed?

Striking the right balance ensures inclusivity and trust.

Member experience consistency

Will members have a seamless experience across partner platforms?
How will data, content, and support be unified?
Who will moderate and manage day-to-day interactions?

Joint communities must feel cohesive, not fragmented.

Long-term commitment

Will all partners stay aligned as priorities shift?
What happens if a partner exits?

Sustainability requires clear agreements and ongoing alignment.

Best practices for building successful joint venture communities

Align on purpose first, not structure: Start with shared objectives and mission clarity before diving into governance or branding.
Create a joint community charter: Define vision, roles, values, and decision-making frameworks.
Appoint cross-partner leadership teams: Ensure representation and accountability from all partners.
Prioritise member-first design: Avoid making the community about the partners — design for member value and needs.
Communicate openly and frequently: Build transparency and trust across all stakeholder groups.
Review and evolve regularly: Adapt roles, responsibilities, and approaches as the community matures.

Final thoughts

In an age where collaboration drives growth, joint venture communities offer a powerful model for building ecosystems that extend beyond single organisations. They allow partners to pool resources, align missions, and engage members in deeper, more meaningful ways.

However, they also demand more from those involved — shared leadership, trust, and a willingness to embrace complexity. When executed thoughtfully, these communities do not just serve individual partners or members. They create ripple effects that strengthen industries, professions, and causes.

Done right, a joint venture community is more than a partnership. It is a shared commitment to building something bigger — and more valuable — together.

FAQs: Joint venture communities

What is the main difference between a joint venture community and a regular partnership?

A regular partnership often refers to two or more organisations collaborating on a project, product, or service. A joint venture community, however, is specifically designed as a shared space where members from each organisation — and often external audiences — come together to interact, collaborate, and build relationships around shared goals. It goes beyond transactional collaboration to create ongoing community value.

Can competing organisations successfully run a joint venture community?

Yes, but it requires clear alignment and governance. Competing organisations can run joint venture communities if:

They agree on non-competitive, shared objectives (e.g. advancing industry standards or education)
Roles, visibility, and contribution guidelines are established upfront
They prioritise community value over commercial self-interest

Mutual benefit and trust are critical to success.