Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Making Public Policies Work: The Last-mile Delivery

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Tata Institute of Social Sciences

Making Public Policies Work: The Last-mile Delivery

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

17 hours to complete
3 weeks at 5 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

17 hours to complete
3 weeks at 5 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Understand core principles, historical evolution, and frameworks guiding policy formulation.

  • Learn strategies to ensure policies effectively reach target populations, particularly marginalized groups.

  • Develop analytical skills to assess policies for efficiency, equity, and impact using evidence-based approaches.

  • Examine how economic, social, legal, and political contexts shape policy decisions.

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Recently updated!

July 2025

Assessments

10 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 6 modules in this course

This course equips participants with the skills to design and implement effective public policies, focusing on last-mile delivery to ensure that policies reach to target population. It bridges the gap between policy creation and real-world outcomes, emphasizing inclusivity, evidence-based strategies, and measurable results. Participants explore public policy’s historical evolution and the institutions shaping its development. Key takeaways include evaluating policies critically, understanding factors influencing policy design, and recognizing political, legal, and social processes' roles in shaping policies. The course highlights the importance of creating policies that address the needs of marginalized groups and offers comparative insights into how different countries approach public policy within their constitutional frameworks.

What's included

2 videos3 readings1 discussion prompt

Welcome to the module, "Public Policy." This module lays the groundwork for ensuring public policies are effectively implemented, especially at the final stages where they directly impact citizens. You will explore the philosophical foundations of public policy, various study approaches, and the historical context of policymaking and examine the concept of constitutionalism across different regions, including the West, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and small-island nations. By the end of this module, you will gain a clear understanding of the philosophical, methodological, historical, and constitutional aspects of public policy, laying the foundation for deeper exploration of policy implementation.

What's included

14 videos7 readings2 assignments

This module focuses on social inclusion and exclusion in public policy, exploring how policies can perpetuate or combat exclusion. You will learn about the role of institutions in shaping inclusive policies, understand the causes of social exclusion, and discover strategies for including marginalized groups. It highlights the principles of inclusive policies and development, showing how equitable progress benefits all members of society. By the end of this module, you will understand how public policies and institutions impact social inclusion, explore strategies to address exclusion, and grasp the principles of inclusive policies for creating equitable societies, equipping you to design and advocate for socially just policies.

What's included

12 videos3 readings2 assignments

This module focuses on the policymaking process with a specific emphasis on implementation science, exploring not just policy formulation but also effective execution. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of intervention practices, innovative approaches to policy implementation, evidence-based interventions, strategies for successful policy execution, evaluation methods, and long-term sustainability planning. By the end of this module, you will be equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to design, implement, and sustain public policies using evidence-based practices and innovative strategies, ensuring that policies lead to lasting, positive societal outcomes and real-world impact.

What's included

14 videos11 readings2 assignments

This module explores interest articulation and representation in public policy, focusing on how different groups express their needs and influence policymaking. It examines the role of interest groups and local associations in shaping policy agendas, along with a critical analysis of social welfare administration and policy design for public welfare. You will understand how groups express and represent their interests in policymaking, influence outcomes, navigate power dynamics, and evaluate social welfare programs for effectiveness, inclusivity, and impact on marginalized communities. By the end of this module, you will have a solid understanding of interest representation in policy design and the complexities of social welfare administration, which is essential for crafting inclusive and equitable policies.

What's included

17 videos11 readings2 assignments

This final module focuses on capacity building as a key driver for welfare and social justice, emphasizing the need to strengthen the capabilities of stakeholders for effective policy implementation and equity. It covers tailored capacity-building approaches for government agencies, civil society, and local communities while exploring governance and its role in shaping public policy design. This module will help understand how capacity building empowers institutions and individuals, explore strategies for key stakeholders, and examine governance roles and challenges to improve policy design, implementation, and outcomes. By the end of this module, you will understand how capacity building and effective governance contribute to stronger, more impactful public policies that promote social justice.

What's included

12 videos6 readings2 assignments2 discussion prompts

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Instructor

Prof. Madhushree Sekher
Tata Institute of Social Sciences
1 Course23 learners

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