Fit for purpose? Assessing Collaborative Innovation in the European Network for Prosecutors for the Environment

Abstract

European Administrative Networks are expected to strengthen the national enforcement of European legislation. The idea is that these networks organise national civil servants, and allow them to exchange best practices, negotiate guidelines and develop inventive solutions to common challenges faced during the implementation and enforcement of European Union regulations. This paper proposes a framework to evaluate European Administrative Networks on their potential to spur collaborative innovation concerning national enforcement of this common regulation. The framework is then applied to a particular network, the European Network for Prosecutors of the Environment. Results show that this network can be considered a resource for collaborative innovation.