The prevailing complexity, complicated management, and communication tools have led to a situation in which cooperation between academics and practitioners has become essential for generating higher added value in science, management, and for the well-being of residents. In Marijampolė Municipality, efforts to improve social services involve greater collaboration between municipal institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These NGOs vary in terms of size, capacity, and the scope of their activities. Consequently, the municipal administration plays a pivotal role in organizing service provision and coordinating the entire network of service providers. However, greater attention to the coordination of this process and the application of good practices from abroad would likely improve cooperation between the municipality and NGOs, which would in turn improve the quality of social services provided. In order to reveal the potential for cooperation between the Marijampolė municipality and NGOs and to have a positive impact on the south-western region of Lithuania by developing a network of social services, Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) is implementing an applied research project entitled ‘Development of cooperation between the Marijampolė municipal administration and non-governmental organisations in the provision of social services (NGO4MSA)’.

The establishment of inter-institutional cooperation between the municipality and the university is of benefit to both parties, due to the following reasons:
1) MRU scientific knowledge, research infrastructure and innovation that can inform public policies;
2) collaboration enables governments to make decisions based on data, analysis and academic evaluation;
3) students and researchers can work on real-world problems, enhancing their skills;
4) joint projects can fast-track the development of policies in controlled environments before large-scale rollout.

Stakeholder Relationship Management Maturity (SRMM) analysis was selected as one of the complex research areas directly affecting service provision in the municipality. A series of interviews was conducted by MRU researchers with municipal representatives, and focus groups were held with service providers. The results of these methods of data collection revealed that the municipality has regulated procedures for stakeholder participation in service provision and decision-making. However, the internal focus of the organization is more on evaluating and standardizing ongoing activities or individual projects, rather than on stakeholder involvement and network maintenance. The municipality, as the coordinator of this network, lacks the knowledge and methodological assistance to perform these coordination functions in strengthening partnerships and social capital, as legislation and other documents provide clear guidelines only on the provision of services themselves, but not on communication, conflict resolution, management of potential risks to cooperation, etc.

Given the identified benefits of cooperation between the municipality and the university, further research will aim to influence policies by promoting stakeholder involvement and co-creation in the municipality, addressing these diverse perspectives and needs, thereby ensuring their practical applicability.

Keywords: University and Municipality cooperation, Stakeholder Relationship Management Maturity (SRMM), public services development.