Abstract

In 2017 the Italian government approved a systemic reform of the third sector which is focused on new forms of collaboration between the state and the third sector organizations. The reform provides the public sector with two administrative tools – the so-called «co-programmazione» and «co-progettazione» – which raise great expectations for the innovation of local welfare. After the start-up phase of the reform, in particular the «co-progettazione» is increasingly used by local public agencies. «Co-progettazione» is the administrative procedure through which the public administration establishes a relationship of collaboration with the third sector to carry out specific service projects and meet social needs. The article reports the first results of research conducted on twenty cases of «co-progettazione» in seven Italian regions. The survey highlights the elements of innovation and the problems with the use of «co-progettazione» for local welfare governance.