Policies and programmes – how they work together

Whether you are more involved in policy or programmes, it is important that you understand the relationship between these two in order to make lasting change in your respective area.

Policies and programmes can contribute towards achieving change. They depend on each other to work. Policies are guiding principles. Programmes are plans of action. Programmes can put policies into action, but to support long-lasting change policies need to be formally enacted and adopted.

However, before you can influence change through your policies and/or programmes, you need to understand the issue(s) you want to address. This process is called problem identification.

When you outline the problem and subsequent change you want to see, it forms the basis of a ‘theory of change’. The difference you want to make by the end is referred to as a ‘vision’ or a ‘goal’. Mapping out the stages required to move from the problem to the solution can be detailed in a ‘logic model’. A logic model includes inputs, activities, outcomes and impact.

By outlining these steps in detail, you can monitor progress to make sure you stay on track and evaluate how effective you have been in achieving the goal(s). We will cover all this over the coming weeks!

What we will cover:

• Week 1: Setting the scene: sport, development and change
• Week 2: Creating change: strategy, policy and governance
• Week 3: Making it happen, making it work, measuring impact
• Week 4: Mobilising people, partners and resources