Table of Content
Executive Summary.......................................................................................................................................... 9
Introduction................................................................................................................................................... 15
Part I: Basis for an effective follow-up................................................................................................ 21
1. Background: NPM models in the EU........................................................................................................... 22
2. Primary considerations regarding follow-up and implementation............................................................. 22
2.1 What do we mean by ‘recommendations’?........................................................................................................ 22
2.2 What do we mean by follow-up and implementation?...................................................................................... 22
2.3 Who should follow-up recommendations?......................................................................................................... 23
2.4 Whose recommendations?.................................................................................................................................. 24
2.5 How to measure implementation and compliance............................................................................................. 25
3. Principles underpinning follow-up.............................................................................................................. 27
3.1 A preventive approach......................................................................................................................................... 28
3.2 Independence...................................................................................................................................................... 29
3.3 Transparency....................................................................................................................................................... 30
3.4 Effectiveness........................................................................................................................................................ 30
4. Reports, recommendations and information management systems......................................................... 31
4.1 Drafting quality reports as a basis for follow-up action . ................................................................................... 31
4.2 Drafting of effective recommendations as a basis for follow-up action............................................................. 35
4.3 Development and maintenance of an information management system ......................................................... 42
Part II: Tools for an effective follow-up and implementation.
Good practices and challenges.......................................................................................................... 45
1. Dialogue with the competent authorities................................................................................................... 46
1.1 Follow-up visits.................................................................................................................................................... 48
1.2 Written dialogue and exchange of information.................................................................................................. 51
1.3 Action Plans......................................................................................................................................................... 54
1.4 Meetings and personal exchanges with the authorities..................................................................................... 55
1.5 Working groups................................................................................................................................................... 57
1.6 Training................................................................................................................................................................ 58
1.7 Warning and enforcement powers...................................................................................................................... 60
1.8 Individual complaints and investigations............................................................................................................ 60
1.9 Commenting on and proposing draft legislation and policy............................................................................... 62
1.10 National action plans and state reports to international bodies...................................................................... 64
2. Communication and cooperation with other actors................................................................................... 65
2.1 Interaction with Parliament . .............................................................................................................................. 65
2.2 Interaction with the Judiciary . ........................................................................................................................... 68
2.3 Interaction with civil society............................................................................................................................... 70
2.4 Inter-institutional advisory bodies...................................................................................................................... 73
2.5 International cooperation................................................................................................................................... 74
3. Publicity....................................................................................................................................................... 81
Part III: A systematic change perspective: 10 building blocks of
an effective follow-up strategy........................................................................................................ 87
1. Introducing a systematic change perspective: NPMs as agents of change ................................................ 88
2. Ten building blocks of an effective NPM follow-up strategy . .................................................................... 90
Building Block 1: Situation analysis........................................................................................................................... 91
Building Block 2: Visualising desired change............................................................................................................. 92
Building Block 3: Reflecting about how change happens and clarifying assumptions............................................. 95
Building Block 4: Understanding who and what really counts: stakeholder analysis............................................... 99
Building Block 5: Reflecting on availability and suitability of tools for follow-up action....................................... 101
Building Block 6: Strategic networking, including relations with the media.......................................................... 103
Building Block 7: Developing pathways of change.................................................................................................. 105
Building Block 8: Monitoring of implementation.................................................................................................... 107
Building Block 9: Evaluation..................................................................................................................................... 108
Building Block 10: Learning...................................................................................................................................... 109
Bibliography.................................................................................................................................................. 113
Annexes............................................................................................................................................................ 113