To celebrate the end of our 5-year programme – Project Dewi – we brought people together at the Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay to share our learning, legacy and discuss what’s next for co-production in Wales.  Funded through the National Lottery Community Fund, we at the Co-production Network for Wales have been working with Public Services Boards (PSBs) for the… Read More »Learning, legacy, and the future of co-production: reflections from our Project Dewi celebration event

At our recent Involvement Series event in Aberystwyth, we explored how citizens can help realise the goal of a Prosperous Wales under the Well-being of Future Generations Act. Through panellist experience, discussion, and a World Café exercise, we uncovered key insights on the role of language, collaboration, and citizen involvement in tackling poverty and driving meaningful change. Here are six… Read More »Five things we learned from our ‘From poverty to prosperity’ event

The Co-production Network for Wales is excited to announce an invitation to tender for the evaluation of Project Dewi, our 5-year programme aimed at embedding co-production practices within Welsh Public Services Boards (PSBs). This is a unique opportunity for an experienced evaluator to work with us on documenting Project Dewi’s journey and assessing its impact on PSBs across Wales. About… Read More »Invitation to Tender: Evaluating Project Dewi’s Impact on Co-production in Wales

The recently published Rural Futures Report sheds light on the significant strides made in tackling rural poverty across Wales. Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the seven-year Rural Futures Programme brought together 14 communities to address the unique challenges they face. Here are six key things we learned from the report: 1. Building skills and capacity The Rural Futures… Read More »Six things we learnt from the Rural Futures Report: Tackling rural poverty through community involvement

In the area of community engagement, the language we use matters. Terms like “hard to reach” and “seldom-heard” often place blame on communities themselves, neglecting the systemic barriers they face. Instead of assuming disinterest, it’s crucial to question organisational accessibility and understand the multifaceted challenges individuals encounter, including socio-economic factors. Engaging ethnically diverse communities presents unique challenges, from language barriers… Read More »Building inclusive engagement with ethnically diverse communities

In a world increasingly driven by metrics and impact, understanding and quantifying social value is crucial. It’s not just about measuring what you do, but also about making informed decisions to improve the lives of people and communities. In this blog, we will delve into the concept of social value, its principles, and its significance in creating a better world.… Read More »Understanding social value: a framework for positive change

Workshops are powerful tools for fostering engagement, promoting collaboration, and generating innovative ideas. However, organising a successful workshop requires careful planning and thoughtful execution. In this blog, we’ll explore some essential considerations when putting together a workshop that not only achieves its objectives but also ensures a positive and impactful experience for participants. Establishing purpose and aims: meeting people where… Read More »How to design an effective workshop: considerations for success

Impact measurement is a fundamental aspect of organisational success, but it can be challenging to articulate and communicate the intended impact in different contexts. To overcome this hurdle, many organisations rely on a valuable tool called a Theory of Change. So, what is a Theory of Change, and how can it be useful in driving positive outcomes? Defining a Theory… Read More »Harnessing the Power of a Theory of Change for PSBs

We were recently joined by Will Slocombe of the University of Liverpool and Sara Elias of Public Health Wales for a Shared Learning event for PSBs to learn about FLiNT and the power of character-led storytelling. Here’s five things we learned from the session: 1. Building trust and relationships within the community is key to effective engagement. Connecting with existing… Read More »5 things we learned from the Storytelling for Involvement Shared Learning event

As part of the Well-being Assessments and ongoing Well-being Plans, defining cultural, economic, environmental and social well-being (the 4 pillars) doesn’t appear to be a straightforward practice. There’s been a fear of getting it wrong amongst PSB officers. Directives from the Future Generations Commissioner’s office about ensuring Well-being Assessments encapsulate the four pillars, have led to the perceived safest route: directly asking… Read More »The 4 pillars of wellbeing