Future-proof policymaking
The use of co-creation for solving complex policy problems
In the context of a world in polycrisis and the pushback against the European Green Deal, ZOE Institute organised a series of co-creative policy labs with EU and national-level policymakers. The co-creative process created the opportunity to discuss challenges in the policy process which can lead to trade-offs and possible ways to resolve them. This report presents the policy lab approach, process, and its outcomes.
We find that, by bringing together stakeholders from various backgrounds, policy labs create a space for cross-disciplinary exploration through informal and contextual knowledge exchange. Working together in this format enabled and enhanced collective problem solving.
The report presents the innovative methods we used to enable discussions to go from broad challenge definition to uncovering their root causes, then finding feasible and impactful solutions and transforming them into concrete ‘process innovations’.
From the process innovations discussed at the EU level, we outlined a new policy cycle 2.0 for the European Commission proposing:
- convening EU Policy Labs to improve horizontal collaboration at the start of the policy cycle;
- organizing Standing Citizen Panels to embed participation throughout the policy cycle; and
- further embedding the long-term in impact assessments to balance short- and long-term priorities and impacts.
We also suggest creating an overarching Strategic Framework for funds to link EU funds to the EU’s Strategic Priorities to avoid gaps and overlaps, including cross-cutting priorities, and integrate the Do No Significant Harm and Do No Harm to Cohesion principles.
Finally, from national-level discussions, acknowledging the impossibility of a one-size-fits-all solution, three strategies were highlighted: adopting a whole-of-government approach, a structured commitment to participation, and planning for the long-term.
By using the process innovations outlined in this report, policymakers can uncover potential trade-offs earlier on in the process, helping mitigate them for the success of the transition.
