Less is more

Those of you who have been following the development of this website must have observed by now that it's content has dramatically been reduced.

This has been the result of a friendly remark of one of my potential business partners. Potential as he told me in plain Dutch that the website contained to much 'bla bla'. Thank you Jan! An honest friend means much more than a polite neighbor. So hopefully the picture you had about URAIDE and what it can do for you has sharpened as a result, though I am sure much can still be improved.

At the same time more space has been created for new product development. As co-creation is the buzz-word today, ready-made products are not well conceived.

U®Academy
Hence the launch of a new 'open' product that may serve your personal learning trajectory. I refer to U®Academy (or YourAcademy). The name may be a bit misleading, as this is not about a new educational institution. It rather is a learning support facility that keeps you on-track in your business while entering new configurations of cooperation and joint resource planning.

As the state more and more functions as a guarantor of public services rather than a provider, business parties are increasingly requested to step into public service delivery. This results in public-private partnerships where the implementation efficiency of the private sector is combined with the public authority over project implementation.

2nd generation PPPs
This second generation public-private partnerships require also a change of business for private parties. U®Academy supports them adapting to these changes and adopting a new business model that is based on synergy rather than competition.

What is important to note is the impact this may have on civil society space. Talking about blurred pictures, boundaries between public authorities and private implementers may blur as a result, causing confusion in accountability questions. As a result, civil society space may diminish and freedom of enterprise and good governance may be obscured.

It will therefore be advisable to provide for civil society space right from the start of any PPP. How this can be done in an effective manner is something U®Academy may help you to explore.

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