Executive Summary

This course aims to build a comprehensive foundational understanding of public policy design in economic and social sectors—from problem analysis to policy formulation and decision-making, including planning, monitoring, and evaluation tools.

Participants will explore the interaction between economic and social dimensions in policy-making, methods for aligning policies with national goals, and review examples from both developing and developed countries.

The course is practical and interactive, combining theoretical insights with real-world applications, making it ideal for government staff, planners, and those interested in policy design.

Introduction

Government institutions face growing challenges in designing effective public policies that address complex economic and social issues. Understanding the link between economic structures and social dynamics, and the interaction between stakeholders, is fundamental to sound decision-making.

This course offers a professional and academic introduction to the process of policy design, highlighting core principles, types of public policies, and the tools for their analysis.

It is tailored to the Libyan and Arab contexts with simplified methodologies, interactive exercises, and real-world case studies that promote critical thinking and collaborative work.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the core principles of public policy design in the economic and social context
• Differentiate between types and scopes of policies
• Analyze public problems and prioritize interventions
• Build a logical framework for policies (Logic Model)
• Link policies to national goals and performance indicators
• Apply policy analysis tools to assess impact
• Promote systematic thinking in problem-solving
• Use evidence-based data to guide decisions
• Understand the institutional context of policy-making

Target Audience

• Officials in Ministries of Economy, Finance, Planning, and Social Affairs
• Professionals in policy analysis units and research departments
• Local council and municipal policy staff
• Researchers and development practitioners
• Civil society and public sector representatives

Training Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Public Policy

• Key concepts of public policy

• Differences between policy, program, and project

• Public policy life cycle

• Stakeholders in policy-making (government, civil society, private sector)

• Policy frameworks and analytical models

Day 2: Problem Identification and Context Analysis

• Defining and distinguishing public problems

• Root cause analysis tools (e.g., problem tree)

• Data gathering and prioritization

• Stakeholder analysis and influence mapping

• Political, economic, and social context in policy formulation

Day 3: Policy Design

• Selecting and evaluating policy alternatives

• Constructing a logic model or policy matrix

• Formulating objectives and performance indicators

• Designing intervention tools (legislation, programs, subsidies, etc.)

• Integrating economic and social considerations into policy design

Day 4: Policy Implementation and Monitoring

• Developing policy implementation plans

• Inter-agency coordination and communication

• Managing organizational and political change

• Monitoring performance against indicators

• Adapting to emerging challenges during implementation

Day 5: Policy Evaluation and Institutional Learning

• Conducting interim and final policy evaluations

• Evaluation tools (quantitative and qualitative)

• Assessing economic and social impact

• Drawing lessons from past policy experiences

• Formulating recommendations and refining policies

Conclusion

This course provides a solid foundation for designing and analyzing public policies in economic and social sectors. With practical tools and real-world examples, participants will gain the skills needed to improve institutional performance and support data-informed government decisions.

It is designed to prepare national professionals to lead effective policy reforms that achieve measurable impact for communities and citizens.