Introduction

The MSIF Twinning Programme provides support, and, if available, funding, to assist MS societies to come together to share and transfer skills and knowledge in all aspects of work involved in operating a successful national MS society, including such areas as patient advocacy, fundraising, communications, public relations, governance, leadership and management.

Participating societies decide on the process by which a twinning partnership comes into being, this gives societies the flexibility to develop the twinning relationship in a way that suits their mutual challenges and opportunities.

MSIF will endeavour to provide guidance and administrative support to any twinning partnerships formed between MS societies. MSIF support could include facilitating initial contact, assisting with the preparation of funding applications, providing information on action planning, completing an evaluation and other such materials relevant to the activities being carried out by the twinning partnerships.

The application process

MS societies interested in participating in the 2010 MSIF Twinning Programme are advised to read MSIF's How to Develop a Twinning Partnership and the MSIF Twinning Programme Guidelines (see Documents to download section below).

They should then complete an MSIF Twinning Programme Application Form (see Documents to download section below). The form allows MSIF to collect information about a society's priorities, skills and needs.

Applications can be submitted throughout the year and societies can apply whether or not a potential twinning partner has been identified.

Completed forms can be either scanned and emailed, faxed to +44 (0) 20 7620 1922 or posted to Zoe Burr, Head of International Development, MSIF, 3rd Floor, Skyline House, 200 Union Street, London, SE1 0LX, UK.

Please note that MS societies that have already identified a potential twinning partner should submit their applications together. All applications should be signed by the CEO (or equivalent) and Chair/President of the relevant MS society.

MSIF will proactively help to match MS societies that have not identified a potential partner based on the information submitted. Where possible, societies will be twinned in the same region to ensure resources are used effectively.

Financial support

MSIF financial support is dependent on MSIF funding levels, the availability of which will be assessed on an annual basis. If available, funding can be used to support twinning partnerships in a number of ways e.g. to cover the costs of a teleconference call in the initial stages of the partnership or the costs involved in carrying out an assessment visit.

MS societies wishing to be considered for MSIF funding support in 2010 should submit their application forms by Friday 30 April 2010. Societies should outline the purpose for which the funds would be used.

See the MSIF Twinning Programme Guidelines for financial support eligibility criteria.

Documents to download

• How to Develop a Twinning Partnership


• MSIF Twinning Programme Guidelines


• MSIF Twinning Programme Application Form

Further information

National MS societies wanting to find out more about twinning should email Zoe Burr, Head of International Development.

The full How to series can be downloaded here.

Case studies

In November 2009 EM Cuba and the Federación Española para la Lucha contra la Esclerosis Múltiple began a period of collaborative working.

The US National MS Society provided the Multiple Sclerosis Society of India's (MSSI) Brand Ambassador, Milind Somon, with online promotion and coverage when he took part in the 2009 ING New York Marathon.

Between June and November 2008 the Federación Española para la Lucha contra la Esclerosis Múltiple and Esclerosis Múltiple Argentina carried out a comparative study entitled Esclerosis Múltiple: realidad, necesidades socials y calidad de vida (Multiple Sclerosis: reality, social needs and quality of life).

Results of comparative Spain-Argentina MS study

Comparative Spain-Argentina MS study report published

In 2007, a team of neurologists, MS specialist therapists and nurses from the UK MS Society visited India where they carried out a series of lectures, training seminars and workshops for MS health professionals, MSSI staff and volunteers.

MSSI report on UK team visit

UK MS Society report on India trip