One-Day Training on Sectoral Public Policy Formulation and Application of Theory of Change Concluded

Policy Research Institute, Narayanhiti

Policy Research Institute conducted a one-day training on “Sectoral Public Policy Formulation and Application of Theory of Change.” The facilitator was Dr. Tirtha Raj Dhakal, a former Secretary of the Government of Nepal with extensive experience in policy formulation, monitoring, and evaluation.

Participants in the training included representatives directly involved in policy and planning from the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, various ministries, and researchers, analysts, and interns from the Policy Research Institute.

In his welcome remarks, the Executive Chairperson of the Institute, Prof. Dr. Lekhnath Sharma, emphasized the necessity for officials involved in policy work and researchers who support policymaking to become proficient in the processes and methods of public policy formulation.

The main topics of the training were:

• Concept of national policy, public policy, and sectoral public policy
• Existing structure of sectoral public policies
• Components of the results chain
• Writing style for vision, goal, target, and objectives
• Policy, strategy, action plan, implementation roadmap, and milestones
• Application of the theory of change and logical framework
• Observation, review, and discussion on some existing policies

While discussing the structure of national policies approved by the Government of Nepal, Dr. Dhakal provided fundamental insights into major methodologies used in results-based policy and planning, including stakeholder analysis, problem/cause-effect analysis, means-end analysis, logical models, and results frameworks. He highlighted the importance of understanding risks and management controls at various stages of the results chain (inputs, processes, outputs, outcomes, and impacts), as well as the difference between operational results and development results.

Dr. Dhakal explained that policy formulation should begin by identifying the core problem, analyzing its underlying causes and potential impacts, and selecting from available options. Answering questions such as what, how, and why aids in identifying objectives, strategies, and potential interventions. Developing the theory of change and a logical framework helps visualize pathways from inputs to impact and also establishes a foundation for evaluating policy effectiveness.

During the presentation, he led exercises and discussions using examples from Nepal’s education, population, commerce, and water resources policies, among others.

At the conclusion of the training, Prof. Dr. Lekhnath Sharma expressed sincere gratitude to Dr. Dhakal, emphasizing that the conceptual clarity gained from the training would significantly support future activities in policy formulation, review, and research.

Event note by: Soniya Bashyal
Photo credit: Bimal Chandra Sharma

Trainer: Dr. Tirtha Raj Dhakal (Former Secretary, Government of Nepal)

Invited participants:
Shivadevi Dahal (Joint Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers)
Yamlal Bhusal (Joint Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers)
Govinda Prasad Gautam (Under Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers)
Ambika Rai (Under Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers)
Srijana Sharma (Under Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers)
Pramila Acharya (Under Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers)
Ganesh Ghimire (Section Officer, Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers)
Indra Kumari Thapaliya (Under Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies)
Tikaram Bhusal (Under Secretary, Ministry of Finance)
Jagadish Parajuli (Under Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports)
Jaya Prakash Basnet (Section Officer, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology)
Dr. Pushparaj Paudel (Section Chief, Ministry of Health and Population)
Dipashikha Wagle (Section Officer, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs)
Ayusha Khanal (Section Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Policy Research Institute
Prof. Dr. Lekhnath Sharma (Executive Chairperson)
Laxman Prasad Bhattarai (Office Manager)
Dr. Hari Sharma Neupane (Senior Research Fellow)
Dr. Deepak Kumar Khadka (Senior Research Fellow)
Dr. Khaganath Adhikari (Senior Research Fellow)
Dr. Mukti Ram Rijal (Senior Research Fellow)
Dr. Kalpana Khanal (Senior Research Fellow)
Dr. Mohan Kumar Sharma (Senior Research Fellow)
Dr. Giri Raj Sharma (Research Fellow)
Ashok Pandey (Research Fellow)
Dr. Niranjan Devkota (Research Fellow)
Dr. Hari Prakash Chand (Research Fellow)
Dr. Subash Adhikari (Research Fellow)
Dr. Pradeep Panthi (Research Fellow)
Dr. Jham Kumar Bishwakarma (Associated Research Fellow)
Dr. Manita Kusi (Associated Research Fellow)
Dr. Maheswar Giri (Associated Research Fellow)
Gopal Acharya (Associated Research Fellow)
Dr. Prabhat Raj Dahal (Associated Research Fellow)
Rija Manandhar (Analyst)
Soniya Bashyal (Analyst)
Bimal Chandra Sharma (Library Management Coordinator)
Krishna Prasad B.K. (Joint Manager)
Machabhai Maharjan (Account Officer)
Sanju Kumari Sarbariya (Senior Assistant)
Subin Ulak (Graphic Designer)
Parbat Bhattarai (Senior Assistant)
Gita Neupane (Senior Assistant)
Milan Shrestha (Senior Assistant)
Ayushka K.C. (Intern)
Ashish Bhandari (Intern)
Kumari Alika (Intern)
Dhiraj Bhatta (Intern)
Juna Shrestha (Intern)
Bijaya Koirala (Intern)
Balihang Limbu (Intern)
Snehi Rijal (Intern)
Satish Sapkota (Intern)