1. 2015 1990 1 Tools for Civil Society to Understand and Use Development Data: Improving MDG Policymaking and Monitoring Module 3: MDGs and the Policy Cycle

2. 2015 1990 2 What you will be able to do by the end of this module Understand why MDGs need to be framed in a national policy contextUnderstand why MDGs need to be framed in a national policy context Explain the policy cycle and see how the MDGs fit within itExplain the policy cycle and see how the MDGs fit within it Be familiar with the concept of “evidence-based policy making”Be familiar with the concept of “evidence-based policy making”

3. 2015 1990 3 Are the MDGs global, regional or national? MDGs need to be framed in a national policy context because: Policies are decided at the national level and the MDGs will only be met when national governments are committed to reaching themPolicies are decided at the national level and the MDGs will only be met when national governments are committed to reaching them Global measures of progress do not help to guide national policyGlobal measures of progress do not help to guide national policy Regional aggregates mask national successes and failuresRegional aggregates mask national successes and failures

4. 2015 1990 4 What do we mean by the policy cycle? Policy is “a principle or course of action adopted by a government, party, business or individual”Policy is “a principle or course of action adopted by a government, party, business or individual” Policies may aim to retain the status quo or implement a programme of reform or changePolicies may aim to retain the status quo or implement a programme of reform or change In reality, the policy cycle is often a messy processIn reality, the policy cycle is often a messy process

5. 2015 1990 5 What is a Policy Cycle? Setting objectives Costing programmes Implementation Monitoring and evaluation Analysis Policy and strategy Results oriented, evidence-based policy making policy making The policy cycle outlines how a policy is created and developed through a sequence of interconnected steps

6. 2015 1990 6 What is an effective and efficient policy cycle? Know clearly where we are: analysisKnow clearly where we are: analysis Know where we want to go: objectives, and development of medium and long-term goals, targets and indicators accordinglyKnow where we want to go: objectives, and development of medium and long-term goals, targets and indicators accordingly Understand the steps needed to get there: policies and strategiesUnderstand the steps needed to get there: policies and strategies Assess the costs of the policies, programmes and actions needed to achieve the targets and linked them to the annual budget cycleAssess the costs of the policies, programmes and actions needed to achieve the targets and linked them to the annual budget cycle Capacity to follow the steps: sound implementation proceduresCapacity to follow the steps: sound implementation procedures Know where we are at any time: effective monitoring systemKnow where we are at any time: effective monitoring system Learning from experience to inform and improve the next generation of policies and programmesLearning from experience to inform and improve the next generation of policies and programmes

7. 2015 1990 7 The policy cycle: analysing the situation Setting objectives Costing programmes Implementation Analysis PRSP process: the theory Policy and strategy “Where are we now?” Including quantitative and qualitative analysis Characteristics of the population Macro, social, political constraints Current national strategies Monitoring and evaluation

8. 2015 1990 8 The policy cycle: setting objectives Setting objectives Costing programmes Implementation Monitoring and evaluation Analysis PRSP process: the theory Policy and strategy “Where do we want to go?” Set priorities and objectives Define medium- and long-term goals (for growth, poverty reduction etc) Integrate MDGs

9. 2015 1990 9 The policy cycle: developing policies and strategies Setting objectives Costing programmes Implementation Monitoring and evaluation Analysis PRSP process: the theory Policy and strategy “What do we need to do to reach objectives?” Examine existing programmes Identify priority policies and programmes Research: evidence-based policy making

10. 2015 1990 10 The policy cycle: costing programmes Setting objectives Costing programmes Implementation Monitoring and evaluation Analysis PRSP process: the theory Policy and strategy “How much is it going to cost and where is the financing coming from?” Cost the range of policies and programmes that have been identified Align with budget process

11. 2015 1990 11 The policy cycle: implementation Setting objectives Costing programmes Implementation Monitoring and evaluation Analysis PRSP process: the theory Policy and strategy Following the steps to deliver the policies and programmes Pilot testing and implementing new programmes

12. 2015 1990 12 The policy cycle: monitoring and evaluation Setting objectives Costing programmes Implementation Monitoring Analysis Policy and strategy “Are we following the steps set out and moving in the right direction?” “Have we reached objectives?” “Do we need to review objectives?” “How can we improve progress against objectives?” Monitoring and evaluation

13. 2015 1990 13 The policy cycle Setting objectives Costing programmes Implementation Monitoring and evaluation Analysis Policy and strategy Results oriented, evidence-based policy making policy making

14. 2015 1990 14 What is an inclusive and accountable policy cycle? Inclusive means that all relevant actors and stakeholders should be consulted and participate at various stages of the cycleInclusive means that all relevant actors and stakeholders should be consulted and participate at various stages of the cycle Accountable requires open and transparent procedures that in turn rely on the individual, mutual and collective responsibility of all actorsAccountable requires open and transparent procedures that in turn rely on the individual, mutual and collective responsibility of all actors

15. 2015 1990 15 How does an MDG strategy fit into the national policy cycle? Developing a strategy for meeting the MDGs involves three stages: Setting a baseline and National targetsSetting a baseline and National targets Conducting a needs assessmentConducting a needs assessment Building policies and programmes around needs assessmentsBuilding policies and programmes around needs assessments

16. 2015 1990 16 Conducting a Needs Assessment Each country should conduct a needs assessment that compares its current situation with the targetsEach country should conduct a needs assessment that compares its current situation with the targets Next step is to identify what policies and programmes, and public investment is needed to reach the goals by 2015Next step is to identify what policies and programmes, and public investment is needed to reach the goals by 2015 The needs assessment would also identify particular obstacles that hinder progressThe needs assessment would also identify particular obstacles that hinder progress

17. 2015 1990 17 Building Policies Around Needs Assessments Each country needs to develop a long-term (10- 12 year) plan for reaching the MDGsEach country needs to develop a long-term (10- 12 year) plan for reaching the MDGs Then, countries need to develop medium-term (3-5 year) strategies that include the long-term goals, i.e. the MDGsThen, countries need to develop medium-term (3-5 year) strategies that include the long-term goals, i.e. the MDGs In many low-income countries, the medium-term strategy is the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP)In many low-income countries, the medium-term strategy is the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) Both the long- and medium-term strategies will need to be reviewed periodically as countries learn from their experiencesBoth the long- and medium-term strategies will need to be reviewed periodically as countries learn from their experiences

18. 2015 1990 18 What is Evidence-Based Policy Making? In recent years there has been an effort to improve the policy cycle in many countries by moving to “evidence-based policy making”In recent years there has been an effort to improve the policy cycle in many countries by moving to “evidence-based policy making” Evidence-based policy helps people make well- informed decisions about policy, programmes and projects by putting the best available evidence from research at the heart of policy development and implementationEvidence-based policy helps people make well- informed decisions about policy, programmes and projects by putting the best available evidence from research at the heart of policy development and implementation A shift to evidence-based policy making will increase the possibility of meeting the MDGsA shift to evidence-based policy making will increase the possibility of meeting the MDGs

19. 2015 1990 19 The Evidence Base May Include Statistics Academic research evidence Practice-generated impact evidence “Best-practice” information (professionally mediated)

20. 2015 1990 20 Devote resources to providing sound evidence that is valid and relevant Empower the champions of evidence Provide incentives to use evidence Ensure that staff have the information and skills to be intelligent producers and users of data Ensure that evidence is ‘owned’ within the organization Bring together data producers and users to ensure a shared understanding Keep the use of evidence in perspective List of best practices for bringing evidence into policy-making

21. 2015 1990 21 Good Evidence-Based Policy Requires The integration of individual experience, expertise and judgement with the best available external evidence from systematic researchThe integration of individual experience, expertise and judgement with the best available external evidence from systematic research That is, evidence alone is not enoughThat is, evidence alone is not enough

22. 2015 1990 22 Limits to Evidence-Based Policy Making Contradictory evidence often emerges – what evidence to trust?Contradictory evidence often emerges – what evidence to trust? Time-frame for evaluation is often short – How long does it take to assess whether a policy is working?Time-frame for evaluation is often short – How long does it take to assess whether a policy is working? Necessary to go beyond the evidence base to innovate and find new things that may workNecessary to go beyond the evidence base to innovate and find new things that may work

23. 2015 1990 23 Summary MDGs and indicators need to be framed at the national level if they are to useful for policy makingMDGs and indicators need to be framed at the national level if they are to useful for policy making Policy cycles need to be effective, efficient, inclusive and accountablePolicy cycles need to be effective, efficient, inclusive and accountable Following an MDG needs assessment, the goals indicators and targets need to be included in both long- and medium-term strategiesFollowing an MDG needs assessment, the goals indicators and targets need to be included in both long- and medium-term strategies Evidence-based policy making will increase the likelihood of the MDGs being metEvidence-based policy making will increase the likelihood of the MDGs being met

24. 2015 1990 24 Practical 3 Briefly describe the policy making process in your countryBriefly describe the policy making process in your country Are there different medium - and long-term strategies?Are there different medium - and long-term strategies? What do you think are the strengths of this process? (Identify three)What do you think are the strengths of this process? (Identify three) What do you think are the weaknesses? (Identify three)What do you think are the weaknesses? (Identify three) Is the policy process locally owned or is it seen as externally imposed?Is the policy process locally owned or is it seen as externally imposed? What type of participation is there in the policy making process (from politicians, civil society)?What type of participation is there in the policy making process (from politicians, civil society)? Do you know of examples of where research has been used to promote evidence- based policy making?Do you know of examples of where research has been used to promote evidence- based policy making?