Policy Impact Assessment Manual

The manual aims to provide a comprehensive guide for conducting policy impact assessments (PIAs) in accordance with the 2015 Law on Laws and Decree 34/2016. The manual focuses on the PIA process, including assessments of economic, social, gender, administrative, and legislative impacts of policies. It provides technical instructions on PIAs and the application of assessment results in the policymaking process, specifically the preparation of legal normative document development requests. The manual is structured into five sections, including a general introduction to policy, the process of policy formulation, and policy impact assessments. It also provides detailed steps on how to conduct an impact assessment for each type of impact, how to synthesize the results of an impact assessment for each type, and how to propose the best policy option. The manual emphasizes the procedures, steps, skills, methods, and tools used in the PIA process. It is drafted with a practical approach in mind to facilitate future applications. The material introduces very basic principles and reference tools, and it provides basic instructions on consultative activities during the PIA process, as well as the process of gathering comments for a draft PIA report. The manual is helpful for agencies responsible for PIAs under ministries, state bodies, and local authorities according to the 2015 Law on Laws. It can also benefit training institutes, experts, research entities, consulting entities, and individuals who use it as reference material during the PIA process or when giving comments regarding policies or PIA reports. The manual provides a comprehensive framework for conducting PIAs, including the identification of policy objectives, the analysis of policy options, and the evaluation of policy impacts. It also provides guidance on the use of various tools and techniques, such as cost-benefit analysis, risk assessment, and stakeholder engagement. The manual is an essential resource for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers who are involved in the development and implementation of policies. It provides a practical guide for conducting PIAs and applying the results in the policymaking process. The manual's five sections provide a comprehensive overview of the PIA process, including: * Part 1: A general introduction to policy, the process of policy formulation, and policy impact assessments. * Part 2: An introduction to the five types of policy impact assessments required by the 2015 Law on Laws and Decree 34/2016, including economic, social, gender, administrative procedure, and legal system impacts. * Part 3: Detailed steps on how to conduct an impact assessment for each type of impact, how to synthesize the results of an impact assessment for each type, and how to propose the best policy option. * Part 4: Guidance on consultations during the process of conducting a policy impact assessment. * Annex: Two examples of impact assessments. The manual's practical approach and emphasis on procedures, steps, skills, methods, and tools make it an essential resource for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers who are involved in the development and implementation of policies.