Hoofdbeleid

Hoofdbeleid is a Dutch term used in governance and organizational management to denote the overarching policy framework that sets the core priorities, principles, and strategic direction of an organization. It articulates the high‑level choices that guide which issues are addressed, which values are upheld, and how resources and authority are allocated.

The hoofdbeleid serves as the central reference point for all other policies. It defines the organization's mission and long-term goals and translates them into policy directions that guide the development of subbeleid (more detailed policies) and the planning, budgeting, and accountability processes.

In practice, hoofdbeleid is developed by management or the governing body and approved by the board or council in public bodies. It is designed to be stable over several years, yet adaptable through formal revision when legal, economic, or strategic circumstances change.

Examples of hoofdbeleid include a municipality's overarching agenda on housing, mobility, and sustainability, or a company's central policy on ethics, risk management, and CSR. The specific content varies by sector and organization, but the common aim is to provide coherence and direction across all subordinate policies.

Organizations monitor and evaluate the outcomes of hoofdbeleid and adjust it through periodic reviews, stakeholder consultation, and alignment with legal requirements and strategic plans.