National evaluation report now published
We are pleased to share the Project Dewi National Evaluation Report, commissioned by Practice Solutions in partnership with the Co-production Network for Wales.
About Project Dewi
Project Dewi is a five-year national initiative led by the Co-Production Network for Wales, which supports Public Services Boards (PSBs) across Wales to embed co-production and meaningful involvement in how decisions are made. The programme has worked with PSBs to move beyond consultation towards genuine collaboration with communities.
This evaluation captures learning from across Wales, bringing together lived experience, system insight and national reflection.
Why this work matters
Co-production is central to Welsh policy, but embedding it in practice is challenging. It requires a shift in:
- Power and decision-making
- Organisational culture
- How success is defined
This report shows that while progress is happening, systems are not yet fully set up to support co-production at scale.
What the report tells us
The evaluation shows a system in transition. There is real momentum behind co-production across Wales, with growing confidence, stronger relationships and emerging cultural change. But progress is uneven, and often held back by structures, expectations and ways of working that were not designed with co-production in mind. What’s clear is that this is not a quick fix; it requires sustained commitment, leadership and a shift in how success is understood.
- Co-production is increasingly recognised as a strategic approach, but remains inconsistently embedded across PSBs.
- Trust and collaboration are improving, but governance, accountability and system design continue to limit progress.
- More open, relational ways of working are emerging, but depend heavily on leadership and organisational commitment.
- Short-term planning, silo working and unclear expectations make it difficult to embed co-production fully.
- Traditional metrics miss what matters. Progress is better understood through relationships and trust, diversity of voices, and confidence and shared ownership.
Impact and future direction
Project Dewi has helped catalyse change across Wales, building confidence and creating space for new ways of working. The next phase is about moving from pockets of good practice to system-wide change, supported by stronger leadership, clearer frameworks and sustained investment.
Our role
Practice Solutions commissioned this evaluation as part of our commitment to supporting meaningful, sustainable co-production.
We work with organisations to embed co-production in strategy, governance and everyday practice.
Read the full report
Want to explore co-production in your organisation?
Get in touch to start a conversation: lewis@practicesolutions-lts.co.uk