How universities can support local businesses and communities Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock Friday, February 26, 2021 2:23 PM UTC The pandemic has provided an urgent lesson in the value of cooperation and partnership. The state, the private sector and voluntary groups all rely on the success of the others to prosper. Collaboration will be more important than ever as we begin to focus on recovery over the coming years. This will be crucial, in particular, when it comes to helping local areas most affected by economic disruption and loss of jobs. The question is where the impetus for this collaboration will come from, in what form and when.