The purpose of this handbook is to provide an easy guide to researchers, policy makers and consultants on how to carry out policy coherence assessments.

The handbook provides light and in-depth alternatives for assessing the level of coherence within and between policies, adaptable to the users’ needs. The handbook also offers guidance to facilitate understanding of the underlying factors that affect coherence, with examples and guiding questions to inform coherence assessments.

Assessing these underlying factors enables a deeper understanding of the reasons behind low or high levels of coherence. Understanding these reasons can help users to identify solutions to incoherence and thereby increase levels of policy coherence.

While the methodological guidance is generic and applicable to many different policy areas, the examples used throughout the handbook mainly describe coherence in coastal and marine related policies. 

Synthesised below is the Quick Guide of the Handbook, while the full version is available on CrossGov website and downloadable from the button below.