Micutienė, Danguolė

The concept of co-governance is understood as a way to build trust in government and to increase public involvement. It should lead to improvements of public services and solve wicked problems related to service provision. However, the idea of co-governance itself requires the sharing and devolution of decisionmaking power, which becomes challenging in relation to the public sector's role, their willingness to retain control, and at the same time – seeking to engage citizens. Although the aim of national strategies in Lithuania is to involve NGOs more actively in service provision, this can be challenging given the diverse characteristics, capacities, and expectations of stakeholders. Furthermore, municipalities are responsible for ensuring the provision of social services and are under pressure to guarantee their availability and quality. The case study of Marijampolė municipality was chosen as an example for analysis because it has one of the highest demands for social services in Lithuania and experience of transferring service provision to NGOs. In this context, this study aims to analyse the shifting boundary between the state and civil society in the context of public service provision. To achieve this aim, the following tasks have been set: 1. Examine the theoretical assumptions and changes in cooperation between the public sector and NGOs. 2. Identify the current cooperation between NGOs and the Marijampolė municipality in the field of service provision. 3. Provide scientific insights into the conditions necessary for co-governance of social services. The case study was conducted in several stages. First, the scientific literature, legal acts and other documents related to the research problem were analysed. Then, a qualitative study was conducted, including interviews and focus groups with representatives of the Marijampolė municipality and NGOs.

Constructive co-operation between municipal administrations and independ-ent public service providers, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), establishes favourable conditions for the development and dissemination of best practices in the delivery of high-quality social services. This research aimed to assess the development and effectiveness of co-operation between a municipal administration and NGOs in delivering social services, using Marijampolė municipality as a case study. A qualitative empirical approach, comprising interviews and focus group discussions, was employed. The Stakeholder Relationship Manage-ment Maturity (SRMM) model was used to evaluate the level of co-operation. The municipal-ity chosen for the present analysis is distinguished by a substantial presence of NGOs actively delivering services. The research findings indicate that, according to the SRMM model, the maturity of co-operation between municipal administrations and NGOs in providing social services is primarily at the procedural level, whereas relational aspects are evident within the process standardisation dimension. To foster mature co-operation, it is recommended that participants within the co-operation network establish a shared vision regarding the future of social service provision and the role of NGOs. The findings of the empirical research under-score the necessity for participants in a co-operation network to cultivate competencies essen-tial for sustaining and enhancing co-operation (e.g. communication and conflict resolution) and highlight the importance of establishing a unified culture of co-operation.

The prevailing complexity, complicated management, and communication tools have led to a situation in which cooperation between academics and practitioners has become essential for generating higher added value in science, management, and for the well-being of residents. In Marijampolė Municipality, efforts to improve social services involve greater collaboration between municipal institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These NGOs vary in terms of size, capacity, and the scope of their activities. Consequently, the municipal administration plays a pivotal role in organizing service provision and coordinating the entire network of service providers. However, greater attention to the coordination of this process and the application of good practices from abroad would likely improve cooperation between the municipality and NGOs, which would in turn improve the quality of social services provided. In order to reveal the potential for cooperation between the Marijampolė municipality and NGOs and to have a positive impact on the south-western region of Lithuania by developing a network of social services, Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) is implementing an applied research project entitled ‘Development of cooperation between the Marijampolė municipal administration and non-governmental organisations in the provision of social services (NGO4MSA)’.

This study explores the role of non-state actors in Lithuania’s social service sector, a field shaped by demographic change, growing demand, and governance reforms. While national legislation provides opportunities for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to participate in service delivery, planning, and oversight, the practical implementation of these provisions varies across municipalities. Using document analysis and secondary statistical data, the paper compares two municipalities Marijampolė and Alytus to examine how the legal framework is applied locally. The findings show that national regulation has expanded the formal space for NGO involvement through accreditation, diversified funding, and defined provider requirements. However, municipal differences in infrastructure, administrative capacity, and policy priorities produce distinct cooperation models: Marijampolė demonstrates more established NGO engagement, while Alytus shows a gradual, incremental approach. Overall, the study reveals persistent fragmentation and uneven implementation, highlighting the need for coherent mechanisms to strengthen multi actor collaboration in social service provision.