Bridging Divides: Place-based Brokering as a Catalyst for Social Justice in Cross-sector Partnerships

Cross-sector partnerships (CSPs) have emerged as vital mechanisms for addressing global challenges such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, their success often hinges on the capacity of local intermediaries to mediate between global objectives and the social realities of local contexts. This study investigates the role of local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as place-based brokers in mitigating entrenched social hierarchies, fostering inclusivity, and achieving socially just outcomes. Drawing on an embedded multiple case study of the India Water Project (IWP), a CSR initiative involving 618 villages across Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Odisha, we develop a six-stage process model of place-based brokering. Findings reveal how NGOs integrate local knowledge, build trust, mediate conflicts, and adapt governance structures to ensure equitable participation. This research contributes to the CSP literature by highlighting the importance of localized mediation in achieving sustainable development outcomes and social justice in stratified environments.