Coalitions are the way to tackle the problems of our time. In this era of transition, we cannot emphasise the power of collective action enough. Whether tackling the climate crisis, the stalled housing market, or building a healthy and sustainable food system, the scale and complexity of today’s problems require new collaborations of partners who really want to change the system.

At Fronteer, we design, initiate, and support existing coalitions. Over the past month, we’ve had conversations with five of our colleagues who focus on this type of work. We wanted to learn more about what it means to be a coalition builder and what they need to make a coalition work. Here’s what we found out.

Our coalition builders

So, who are these coalition builders? At Fronteer, coalition builders don’t just help bring together partners — they create the environment where relationships can flourish, new ideas can emerge, and lasting solutions can take root. It’s a role that requires creativity, patience, and above all, a clear vision of the shared goals that can unite different partners.

Our team uses a range of tools and frameworks to support coalitions, including the Coalition by Design canvas, which helps partners align around common goals, map out key activities, and ensure everyone stays engaged. You can read more about it in our latest whitepaper (linked at the end). But it’s not just about tools — it’s about human connection, trust, and the willingness to keep pushing forward, even when things get tough.

We asked five of our colleagues about their most valuable lessons in coalition building. Here’s what they shared:

Gittan: A shared language and dream

Gittan works with the Zohra coalition, which brings together organisations and schools in the care sector to transform the way people live, work and learn within the system. For Gittan, the key to success has been investing in relationships from day one and ensuring all partners speak a shared language. He believes that a collective dream — and the ability to articulate it in a way everyone understands — is crucial to bridging gaps between diverse organisations.

“The biggest lesson is that you must work on the relationship from the start. Build trust, understand each other’s needs, and create a shared vision that everyone can rally behind.”

Maarten: Collaboration is just as important as the content

Maarten is involved in the Cyclotron coalition, a public-private partnership focused on sharing expertise and data to combat cyberattacks. For him, collaboration isn’t just about the technical details — it’s about ensuring the people involved work together effectively. He’s learned that focusing on process and fostering trust between partners can make the difference between a stalled initiative and one that thrives.

“Collaboration is just as important as the content. Trust and shared goals are the foundation of any successful partnership.”

Tim: Balance day-to-day work with strategic thinking

Tim has been working with the Herpakt coalition, focusing on reusable packaging. He’s learned that while it’s easy to get caught up in the immediate tasks — networking, hosting events, managing projects — it’s equally important to step back and think strategically. Tim emphasises the need to balance short-term actions with long-term objectives to make a lasting impact.

“It’s all about balancing the day-to-day with the big picture. Without that, it’s easy to lose sight of the true purpose of the coalition.”

Flore: Keep sparring with each other to stay critical

Flore, also with the Herpakt coalition, has learned the importance of continual sparring with team members. In coalition building, no one has all the answers, and a critical, open dialogue is necessary to stay on track and adapt as things evolve. She believes that pushing each other’s ideas is crucial to staying grounded and ensuring the coalition stays focused on its goals.

“Never stop challenging each other. It’s through sparring that we sharpen our ideas and avoid falling into groupthink.”

Lieke: The power of positivity

Lieke is part of the COOP Centraal coalition, which brings together various organisations in Amsterdam to engage young people in the energy transition. She’s learned that maintaining a positive, can-do attitude—especially when facing challenges—is key to motivating partners and keeping momentum going. For her, the energy within the coalition is what drives progress.

“Positivity is contagious. When you stay positive, it keeps everyone engaged and energised, even when things are tough.”

Our approach

At Fronteer, we continue to use our Coalition by Design canvas to guide our projects, helping us to better align stakeholders and ensure everyone is working towards the same goals. We’ve seen first-hand how a clear framework can help keep coalitions on track, but the most important ingredient remains the same: people.

If you’re looking to build or strengthen a coalition in your own organisation, get in touch with us. We’d love to share more about how we can help and how our tools and expertise can make a difference in your coalition’s success.

Read more about our coalition-building approach in our latest whitepaper.