intersektoraler

Intersektoraler describes actions, policies, and governance that cross sector boundaries to address problems that span multiple policy areas. It involves collaboration among government ministries, agencies, private sector actors, civil society, and communities to achieve shared objectives that cannot be achieved by any single sector alone. Key elements include joint goals and planning, governance arrangements such as inter-ministerial committees or cross-sector task forces, aligned budgeting and funding streams, shared data and indicators, and formal agreements or memorandums of understanding.

Intersectoral work is central to approaches that address complex societal challenges, including the social determinants of health, sustainable development, climate resilience, and urban safety. Frameworks such as Health in All Policies and whole-of-government or whole-of-society strategies guide the design of cross-sector initiatives, promoting earlier collaboration during policy formulation and program implementation.

Benefits include more coherent policies, efficiency gains, and the ability to tackle root causes across sectors. It can improve equity and outcomes that lie outside the remit of any single department. Challenges include jurisdictional fragmentation, differing timelines and priorities, data-sharing barriers, legal constraints, and accountability ambiguities. Success depends on political will, clear leadership, trusted relationships, capacity building, and practical mechanisms for coordination and funding.

Examples span public health initiatives linked to education and housing (for example, interventions addressing obesity or heat-related health risks), housing and urban development policies with health and transport considerations, and cross-sector early childhood programs involving health, education, and social services.