“Today marks the birth of an international best practice.” This is how American public policy expert David Johnson described the new policy development and coordination framework adopted by the Georgian Government at the beginning of 2020. Designed by the Administration of the Government (AoG) with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UK, the new framework was publicly launched on 28 February 2020 in Tbilisi.

Georgia’s approach stands out not just among countries in the region but also among European Union (EU) member states, experts noted. Marc van den Muijzenberg, a Dutch policy planning expert, said that, “I only wish that my Government had a handbook like this one,” referring to the official “Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Handbook,” which will now be issued to Georgian civil servants working in policy units. To ensure the handbook is user-friendly and eschews jargon, it was developed in-house.

What makes Georgia’s new framework so pioneering? First, it takes a “whole-of-government” approach, meaning that all ministries and other state entities with policymaking responsibilities are required to follow the same procedure, adhere to the same standards and make use of the same terminology. Second, it delineates a clear hierarchy among policy documents. Third, it mandates an evidence-based approach to protect policies from subjectivity and partisanship. Fourth, it rests on goals that are measurable, introducing a rigorous yet common-sensical system to monitor rates of “policy completion.” Fifth, it introduces a direct tie between policies and the budgets meant to support them. And, finally, it requires public consultations at every stage of policy development.

The AoG is charged with managing the new system. “Citizens will benefit from public administration reform by receiving better services and by having more say in policymaking,” said AoG Head Natia Mezvrishvili. “Making the policy process more efficient and more open is also crucial for Georgia’s closer association with the EU. The Government is committed to creating a transparent, accountable and effective public administration, and by adopting the new framework, we are making a very tangible step forward.”

The new framework is part of a much broader program of support for public administration reform in Georgia that has been supported over many years by UNDP in partnership with the British Embassy, as well as by the European Union.

“I am pleased we are able to support this initiative as part of our long-standing partnership with Georgia on Public Administration Reform. A whole of government approach to evidence-based policy-making can be truly transformative,” said UK Ambassador Justin McKenzie Smith. ”I welcome the lead the government is taking on this and its commitment to public participation. The UK will continue to back this and I know other partners will too.”

The policy handbook was already tested in 2019 in developing a national statistics strategy, a process that was also supported by UNDP and Sweden. Some 280 civil servants have already been trained in the new policymaking methodology; starting in 2020, the course has become mandatory for all civil servants with policy responsibilities. The Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure has also begun instituting many of the principles behind the framework at the local level. Finally, an online M&E system is now being created at the AoG to provide real-time insight into the pace of policy implementation.

“With this reform Georgia adds another gold star to its reputation as a maverick in democratic governance,” said UNDP Head Louisa Vinton. “The challenge now is to ensure the leadership, determination and resources needed to realize the full potential of the new system. The result will be better policies with better results for citizens and a world-class example for others to follow.”

 Media contact

• Nino Tsivtsivadze, Administration of the Government, ntsivtsivadze@gov.ge, +995 598 333310
• Ira Sulava, UNDP in Georgia, irine.sulava@undp.org, +995 599 579105