Convening for Collaborative Innovation in Mecklenburg County

Delivering Public Value Through Convening: Lessons from Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, USA

Convening for Collaborative Innovation in Mecklenburg County is one of a series of case studies that illustrate a capabilities framework for effective public partnerships that includes navigation, convening, experimentation, and codification. 

Leveraging research by Bloomberg Public Innovation Fellow Tommi Laitio (2022-24), the case study explores how local governments can nurture their convening capability to build a shared vision, align resources, and deliver lasting public value.

This look into Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, USA, highlights how trusted intermediaries and thoughtfully designed public protocols facilitated the conditions for bold, cross-sector collaborative innovation. Their local efforts led to transformative investments in civic infrastructure, including a landmark $137 million investment in a new Main Library. 

Download the case study from the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University to explore how effective convening practices can unlock new possibilities for your community.