Former partner is inclined to make projects (7)
I believe the answer is:
extends
'make projects' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?
'former partner is inclined' is the wordplay.
'former partner' becomes 'ex' (an ex-partner).
'is inclined' becomes 'tends' ('tend' can be a synonym of 'be inclined').
'ex'+'tends'='EXTENDS'
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for extends that I've seen before include "Widens" , "Enlarges" , "Reaches or stretches out, say the hand of friendship" , "Makes longer" , "Lengthens" .)