he Natural Resources Cluster (oil, gas and mining sector) of the World Bank's Business Partners for Development programme was operative from 1998 to 2002. The $3 million action research programme produced practical examples, based on 'focus projects' around the world, of how three-way partnerships involving companies, government authorities and civil society organisations can be a more effective means of reducing social risks and promoting community development. Working in different countries and at different stages of project development the performance of these 'tri-sector partnerships' was systematically tested in terms of both business benefit and development impact.