Co-Production in a Network Setting: Providing an Alternative to the National Probation Service

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis article examines the policy implementation phase of co-production, focussing on micro-level dynamics (individual relationships, motivation, and trust), which are largely out of the direct control of the government. A case of an alternative probation service in Estonia is presented, where experimentation and the inclusion of motivated citizens were used to contend with the limits of traditional policymaking and implementation and the lack of resources. The case shows that while co-production can generate new ideas, the diffusion of bottom-up practices is extremely difficult due to the inherent qualities of the public-sector: authority, accountability, and legitimacy.