ImPact
PHS policies - Implementation and monitoring guide

Policy pointer – Step 1

3

  • Involve all stakeholders in the design of the policy

To ensure solid development of the sector, it is important that all relevant stakeholders are involved in the setup of the policy. Indeed, aspects such as the status of workers, (minimum) wages, and so on are crucial in the development of the PHS activities. That is why all stakeholders need to be involved, above all through strong social dialogue (open discussions with social partners).

  • Favour long-term, general and, ideally, permanent structures

Although time-limited projects might be helpful for fostering new service infrastructures, serve as a good experiment or contribute to establishing formal PHS activities, policymakers must pay attention to subsidy/support instruments and their duration: withdrawing public subsidies regularly leads to the decline of the infrastructure created. In order to develop a reliable framework for PHS with sufficient capacity, framework conditions need to be permanent and reliable. To be able to invest and develop their PHS activities, providers need stability and long-term perspective. Users will also need some adjustment time to make full use of PHS. What is more, the earn-back effects and the impact on employment will be observable only in the long-term. Finally, to make sure that the system remains sustainable, it would also be wise to develop some regular assessment procedures that will ensure that the system is continuously reviewed, which will guarantee its efficiency in the long run.