Among the takeaways from the ongoing Strong Cities Transatlantic Dialogue Initiative is that cities should not only view community-based organisations as partners in prevention but must also invest both in building long-term relationships with them and help them build their technical and institutional capacities. Strong Cities recognises that the ability of local governments to support community-based organisations, including by providing small grants, training and networking opportunities will vary from city to city depending on the country. But despite this, there are plenty of organisations with deep reach into and credibility with communities whose prevention potential could be expanded with the access to funding and partnerships that improved institutional and organisational processes, governance and systems can bring. Whether it is better understanding funding mechanisms, receiving basic training on governance or accounting practice, or just having the institutional ties with cities in place to demonstrate a collaborative approach, there are practical steps that can be taken to better position such critical partners.