Policy briefs are concise documents that summarize policy issues, present evidence, and provide recommendations. They are often used to inform policymakers and the public about complex issues. A well-written policy brief can be an effective tool for advocating for change. There are many different layout policy brief templates available, but they all typically include the following sections:
Executive Summary: The executive summary is a brief overview of the policy brief. It should be no more than one page long and should include the following information: the problem that the policy brief addresses, the key findings of the research, and the recommendations that are made.
Policy Problem
The policy problem is the issue that the policy brief is addressing. It should be clearly defined and should be supported by evidence. The evidence can come from research studies, government reports, or other credible sources. Once the policy problem has been defined, the policy brief should provide a brief overview of the current policies that are in place to address the problem. This overview should include a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the current policies.
The policy brief should then identify the gaps in the current policies. These gaps are the areas where the current policies are not effective in addressing the policy problem. The policy brief should provide evidence to support the identification of the gaps.
Finally, the policy brief should provide a brief discussion of the potential consequences of not addressing the policy problem. These consequences can be economic, social, or environmental. The policy brief should provide evidence to support the discussion of the potential consequences.
Policy Recommendations
The policy recommendations are the solutions that the policy brief is proposing to address the policy problem. The recommendations should be based on the evidence that was presented in the policy problem section. The recommendations should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). The policy brief should also provide a brief discussion of the potential benefits of implementing the recommendations.
The policy brief should conclude with a call to action. The call to action should urge the reader to take action to address the policy problem. The call to action can be directed at policymakers, the public, or both. The policy brief should provide contact information for the author so that the reader can learn more about the policy issue and how to get involved.
By following these steps, you can create a well-written policy brief that will be effective in advocating for change.