International Policy Fellowship (IPF)
& Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative (LGI)
Policy Training Module
Writing effective policy papers to influence decision-making (PPW)
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Developed in 2002, the PPW training module addresses the need for widespread development of
effective policy communication skills in the region of CEE and fSU and has been designed to support
the dissemination of the highly acclaimed guidebook “Writing Effective Public Policy Papers: A Guide
for Policy Advisors in Central and Eastern Europe” (Young and Quinn, 2002) published by LGI/OSI.
This innovative and popular training builds insight into the nature of policy papers as powerful tools
used by various members of the policy community to exert influence on decision-making. To date, the
training has been delivered in numerous policy capacity building contexts for various target groups,
and is now an integral training component of many fellowship programmes.
The overall aim of the PPW training is to equip participants with the knowledge and resources to
develop their skills in writing effective policy papers as tools to influence decision-making.
Through the collaborative work of participants, the training also builds regional networks of policy
researchers and analysts.
MODULE OVERVIEW
The PPW training content is divided into 3 integrated sections:
1. Purpose of the policy paper as a decision-making tool
By examining the context in which policy papers are produced (focus
on the policy-making process and policy networks), participants
advance understanding of the nature of policy papers as purposeful
communication tools which are shaped by the specifics of the context
in which they are developed.
2. Structuring and developing a coherent policy paper
Participants build in-depth insight into the key structural elements of
the policy study and/or policy brief which are central to achieving the
purpose of the policy paper. Towards this end, participants analyse
authentic sample policy papers produced by policy analysts from the
region. This section also overviews how the outcomes of the policy
analysis process are used as evidence to build the central argument in
policy papers.
3. Effectively organising and presenting a policy paper
Participants gain insight into using different approaches to the
presentation and layout of policy papers to attract the attention of
potential audiences and facilitate the delivery of the intended policy
messages.
Feedback from
training
participants:
"excellent
interactive way of
teaching and
learning, lot of
practical work, so
I have an overview
of the whole issue"
"excellent - it was
the first experience
for all of us to
learn and write a
policy paper and it
will make our
work more
progressive"
"for me, the
workshop was of
great significance
toward improving
my ability"
"extremely useful
and constructive"
TARGET GROUPS AND TRAINING CONTEXTS
The PPW training has been conducted for participants from a range of target groups, namely from the
governmental and non-governmental sectors, senior and junior fellowship programme participants,
and policy teams of researchers, analysts, and advisors.
The training has supported various policy capacity building measures, including international and
national policy fellowship programmes (Hungary, Mongolia, Bosnia and Herzegovina), training for
teams working on policy projects (Croatia), capacity building for decision-makers (Mongolia, Serbia
and Montenegro), and enhancing the involvement of civil society sector in policy work (Bulgaria,
Serbia and Montenegro, Mongolia, Bosnia and Herzegovina).
METHODOLOGY
The training is practical in nature and is adapted to target the policy writing needs of workshop
participants based on a needs assessment process. The workshop format emphasises active,
interactive and learner-centred training, whereby knowledge is developed through a process of critical
enquiry, analysis and reflection by participants (and not on the basis of lectures). Hence, the role
played by the trainer is that of facilitator or guide.
In the learning-by-doing approach adopted in the workshop, participants have the opportunity to apply
the knowledge and skills gained through the workshop to their own policy research and writing
contexts. Hence, a tangible outcome of the training is the completion of a preliminary review or outline
of a policy paper participants have or will produce either individually or in policy teams.
The PPW training is currently offered over a 2 to 3-day period; however, it is a flexible training module
and the length can be adapted depending on the needs of participants. Due to the interactive focus of
the methodology, this training is only conducted in English or in countries where local PPW trainers
are available, and cannot be delivered using simultaneous translation. To date the PPW Training of
Trainers has been conducted in Mongolia, Bulgaria and Serbia.
WORKSHOP TRAINERS
Eóin Young and Lisa Quinn are Applied Linguists who have been working as skills trainers in the
region of Central and Eastern Europe through the Open Society Institute and Central European
University for the past 10 years. Since January 2002, Eóin & Lisa have worked directly with the Local
Government and Public Service Reform Initiative (LGI) and the International Policy Fellowship (IPF) in
the design, development and delivery of various training modules focused on policy communication.
In addition to this module, their current offerings are as follows:


Producing policy-relevant analysis and writing;
Developing effective advocacy strategies for policy change.
These modules have been delivered to a wide variety of policy actors throughout the region of CEE,
fSU, Central Asia and Mongolia and have become integral training elements for many policy
fellowship programmes (e.g. IPF, LGI). Eóin and Lisa authored the LGI guidebook “Writing effective
public policy papers: A guide for policy advisers in Central and Eastern Europe” (2002, LGI/OSI),
which has been translated into Bulgarian, Mongolian, Russian, Ukrainian and Serbian with current
plans for translation also into Albanian and Bosnian. Eóin and Lisa have also developed and
implemented a comprehensive Training of Trainers programme in Mongolia, Bulgaria and Serbia to
support the sustainable dissemination of policy writing skills in regional languages.
Eóin Young, Training Associate, Local Government and Public Service Reform initiative &
International Policy Fellowship, Open Society Institute, Budapest (young@policy.hu)
Lisa Quinn, Training Associate, Local Government and Public Service Reform initiative & International
Policy Fellowship, Open Society Institute, Budapest (quinn@policy.hu)