The policy paper is a policy analysis document with a length of 15-18 pages. It should have the following parts: Executive Summary, Introduction, Discussion and Analysis, Conclusion and Recommendations. The executive summary is a 1-2 pages brief statement of the problem. The executive summary gives the Policy Problem statement and key points in its historical background. The executive summary also describes the wider political, socio and economic context of the policy issue. In the executive summary we have to persuade our readers why the specific policy problem matters and what are the undesired social consequences. Executive summary essentially focuses on the urgency and importance of the policy issue presented. The introductory part mainly addresses the historical background of the problem, its evolution, and the description of policy remedies in place, if any. The introduction may include factual data, conclusion of field experts and research results from credible sources. In the introductory part the methodology of the analysis should be introduced as well if the policy analysis is performed primarily for academic settings. The introduction should not exceed the maximum length of 5 pages. The discussion and analysis part includes the analysis of possible policy interventions and instruments. Here is the place where possible trajectories of development are analyzed and compared to the situation of maintaining the status-quo. The pros and cons of each policy alternative are discussed and analyzed. For comparison aims, tables might be utilized. In the discussion and analysis, criteria of comparison are to specified (such as costs and benefits, administrative and technical feasibility, political desirability, effectiveness, and equity).New criteria of comparison might be suggested as well, depending on the policy field and given context. The application of graphs, other visual techniques, and numerical data might even strengthen more the arguments and discussion. /6-8 pages/. In the conclusion and recommendations part, the problem should reach its remedy. A certain course of action should be recommended and justified. Ethical, political, social and economic considerations are to prove the desirability of the chosen policy action and instruments over the others.I n this part, as was in the introduction, the discussion of a chosen policy alternative should include a wider socio-economic context, taking into account long-term societal consequences and making even stronger the arguments and policy advocacy efforts. /3-4 pages/
