How to link theory and practice: innovations in governance Once we have identified the – sometimes deeply hidden or seemingly invisible – problems of democratic governance and understood the mechanisms behind these problems we can start looking for solutions. With respect to management and administration we are especially interested in innovations that have increased access to democratic processes, public services and justice. The problems mentioned above in the ‘rationale’ were all met by innovations creating a fair level-playing field for all citizens. Innovations combining resources and expertise of the government, civil society and market in co-producing the governance of the society. Innovations in government have for some years helped to bring about a paradigm shift and fundamentally altered the way in which societal governance is delivered. These innovations have demonstrated that the governance of the society is no longer the sole prerogative of the government – the public purpose is today being advanced through the combined effort of all the three sectors in society. In order for these innovations to effectively contribute to Improving Access, it is crucial that new innovations do not replicate the same flaw that was sometimes tacitly present in the reinventing government/New Public Management movement: too much emphasis on business-like efficiency and too little attention for democratic values. We therefore constantly ask: Do these innovations indeed contribute to strengthening core democratic values like fairness and equity? Do these innovations help to ensure social justice for all citizens equally? In a political sense, we have the obligation to create awareness with politicians to critically reflect on the functioning of democratic governance. Of course resources are always limited in government, but by stimulating and disseminating innovation in governance and organizing governance arrangements in a smarter way, more can be done with the same means while guaranteeing equal access for all.