Can co-production lead to empowerment?

The co-production of public service delivery, and the achievement of women empowerment are both notable policy goals in the development context. While each has been the subject of much independent study, there are few examples of programs that combine these goals. The Jal Sathi program in the state of Odisha, India is one notable example of such a program. This research paper investigates how co-production can empower urban poor women, and if involvement of these women in water management services leads to better performance. The paper also investigate the role of Street-Level Bureaucrats (SLBs) in facilitating this co-production. This paper takes a qualitative approach to understanding the costs and benefits of the program for the involved actors. Through interviews, focus groups, and participant observations, data were gathered from Jal Sathi participants, Assistant Managers (SLBs), program leadership, and community members. Through this, I demonstrate that the Jal Sathi program is a promising model, able to deliver on both increased social and economic wellbeing for women, and improvements in operational efficiency for water services. I also conclude that these outcomes are contingent on SLB support and structural adjustments to improve equity among participants. This research contributes to understanding how co-production can foster empowerment within marginalized communities, providing insights for scaling similar models across other contexts.