Table 3 Definitions of the five policymaking stages
Policymaking stage | Definition | Matching indicator of government ownership |
|---|---|---|
Emergence | The moment where a predictable or unpredictable “policy window” is seized by decision makers for initiating a strategy aiming at addressing an emerging and sometimes burning issue [62]. Some authors refer to it as the stage of “agenda-setting”. | - Political will and leadership demonstrated at the highest level of government |
Formulation | The stage where the content of the policy is defined | - Political will and leadership demonstrated at the highest level of government - Effective engagement at technical and operational levels of government - Capacity to act and coordinate actors within public agencies |
Funding | The step where financial provisions are made available to the implementing structure in charge of the policy implementation. | - Effective engagement at technical and operational levels of government - Mobilization of national resources for contributing to finance the policy |
Implementation | Ability of the State to lead and coordinate the operationalization of the policy. | - Effective engagement at technical and operational levels of government - Capacity to act and coordinate actors within public agencies - Mobilization of national resources for contributing to finance the policy |
Evaluation | Appreciating policy processes and outcomes [63]. | - Effective engagement at technical and operational levels of government - Capacity to act and coordinate actors within public agencies |