@article {Yan2018, title = {Cross-Sector Social Partnerships for Social Change: The Roles of Non-Governmental Organizations}, journal = {Sustainability}, volume = {10}, number = {2}, year = {2018}, publisher = {MDPI AG}, abstract = {Complex social and environmental issues call for broader collaboration across different sectors so as to instigate transformative social change. While previous scholars have emphasized the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in facilitating social change, they have not provided a nuanced assessment of NGOs{\textquoteright} different roles. We use the Poverty and Employment Precarity in Southern Ontario (PEPSO) research partnership as a study case and explore NGO partners{\textquoteright} different roles in a large cross-sector social partnership (CSSP). By interviewing 12 NGO partners and 4 non-NGO partners involved in the PEPSO research partnership, our research results show that NGOs primarily have 10 roles in a CSSP. They include enabling roles such as consultant, capacity builder, analyst, and funder; coordinating roles such as broker and communicator; and facilitating roles such as initiator, leader, advocate, and monitor. These roles allow NGOs to fulfil their duties to make substantial contributions to a CSSP. {\textcopyright} 2018 by the authors.}, keywords = {Canada, environmental issue, nongovernmental organization, Ontario [Canada], partnership approach, research work, social change, social participation, sustainable development}, issn = {20711050}, doi = {10.3390/su10020558}, url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/2/558}, author = {Yan, X. and Lin, H. and Clarke, A.} }