Loneliness has been called the new public health epidemic. Across the globe, communities are seeing the impacts of social isolation on both mental and physical health—higher rates of depression, weakened immune systems, even increased risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. Solving this challenge
Community-asset mapping can be a launchpad for stronger partnerships and smarter resource allocation—but only if the process is as intentional as the map itself. It is easy to get lost in the forest and lose sight of the big picture if you aren’t careful, especially
Networking and collaboration are often heralded as essential strategies for strengthening social impact. However, for small nonprofits and grassroots organizations, participation in these partnerships can impose significant burdens—diverting time and resources away from their mission-critical work. Larger institutions, while well-resourced to engage in networking efforts,
Cross-sector partnerships bring together organizations from government, business, and nonprofit sectors to tackle complex societal challenges. Yet, while collaboration can unlock new resources and ideas, it also presents challenges in coordination, communication, and trust-building. Social Network Analysis (SNA) is a powerful tool for visualizing and
The increasing recognition of health-related social needs (HRSNs) as critical drivers of health outcomes has spotlighted the importance of innovative approaches to identify and address these needs, especially in underserved communities. A recently published research article in Health Promotion Practice reflects on the implementation of
Your network is one of your organization’s most powerful assets. The social capital we build through relationships with the community provide critical insights, resources, and opportunities for joint action to solve complex and wicked problems. However, cultivating dozens or hundreds of relationships across the community
As August, National Immunization Month, unfolds, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the importance of immunization and how we can enhance its reach and impact. At Visible Network Labs, our expertise lies in the realm of network science, specifically focusing on the social network
Ecosystem mapping involves mapping the relationships and interactions between the networks, stakeholders, policies, and environment on a specific issue or context. For example, the public health ecosystem consists of all the organizations in the public, non-profit, and private health sector, along with social service providers,
The initial energy of launching a community network or forming a coalition is truly something to behold. Seeing disparate groups converge, aligning their objectives, and celebrating their first victories together creates an invigorating sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. However, one of the key challenges
Public health has long acknowledged the importance of partnership-building in achieving better health outcomes. As professionals in the field continually adapt their strategies to maximize the benefits of collaboration, various approaches have emerged. In our latest infographic, we present a comprehensive overview of these approaches
Click one of the links below to download a free resource to strengthen your community partnerships, collaborative network, and strategic ecosystem.
Advice for building, managing, and assessing cross-sector networks or coalitions of partners.
A template to map the connections and interactions between key stakeholders in your community.
A worksheet and guide to help you think through and develop your network or ecosystem strategy.
Get monthly updates on VNL news, new research, funding opportunities, and other resources related to network and ecosystem mapping and management.
