coproducing

Coproducing, or co-producing, is a collaborative method in which multiple parties contribute resources, expertise, and decision-making authority to create a product, service, or knowledge artifact. The key idea is that users, communities, professionals, organizations, or other stakeholders share in the design, development, delivery, and outcomes of the activity rather than one party acting unilaterally.

Applications span several domains. In public services and social care, coproduction involves service users in planning and evaluating services, recognizing their lived experience as a resource. In media and culture, co-productions are agreements among production houses or broadcasters to share funding, risks, and rights, often across borders. In science and research, participatory or citizen science approaches invite nonexperts to contribute data collection, analysis, or interpretation. In business, co-creating products with customers or partners can accelerate innovation and align products with market needs.

Principles and practices: effective coproduction relies on inclusive governance, clear roles, shared decision-making, and appropriate compensation. Participants contribute time, expertise, or funding; outputs and intellectual property may be co-owned. Processes emphasize mutual learning, transparency, and accountability.

Benefits include increased relevance, legitimacy, user satisfaction, and resilience; but challenges include power asymmetries, conflicts over control, resource intensity, and evaluation complexity.

Examples include community-led service design projects, international film co-productions, and participatory environmental monitoring programs. See also participatory design, co-creation, and public-private partnerships.