Priorisointikierros

Priorisointikierros, also known as prioritization cycle, is a method used in European social policy to assess and prioritize the needs of vulnerable populations, particularly in the context of social and economic development. The term is primarily associated with the Nordic countries, where this approach has been implemented and refined.

The prioritization cycle is a participatory and iterative process that involves various stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and local communities. The aim is to identify the most pressing social issues and allocate resources effectively to address them. This process typically involves the following steps: needs assessment, prioritization, planning, and implementation.

During the needs assessment phase, data is collected to identify the social problems and their root causes. The data is then analyzed to determine the priority issues based on factors such as the severity of the problem, the number of people affected, and the potential impact of addressing the issue. The prioritization phase involves ranking the issues based on the analysis and making decisions about which ones to address first.

The prioritization cycle is often used in conjunction with other policy instruments, such as open (or transparent) budgeting. This approach to policy-making emphasizes the importance of collaboration and resource allocation to achieve social goals. The use of priorisointikierros has contributed to more effective and targeted public services in the Nordic countries, where it has been adopted.