Anticipatory Governance Framework for Governments

Foresight is becoming a critical capability—not only for companies and professional organisations, but also for communities and governments. In an era of fast-paced, multi-level disruptions, policy design informed by foresight is no longer optional; it is essential. To navigate this complexity, policies must be simultaneously robust, resilient, and agile. This is where foresight adds value: by enabling the exploration of multiple plausible futures, drawing insights from them, and stress-testing policies and strategies against diverse scenarios.

The timely OECD working paper “Towards Anticipatory Governance Guidelines for Public Sector Organisations” (published in May 2025) offers a comprehensive and practical framework for embedding anticipatory governance within the structures and processes of public sector organisations. It aims to help governments respond more effectively to increasing uncertainty, complexity, and rapid transformation across technological, ecological, and societal domains.

Core Narrative and Purpose

In an age defined by disruptions—from climate change and AI to pandemics and geopolitical shifts—governments must evolve from reactive policymaking to proactive, future-oriented governance. The OECD introduces anticipatory governance as an integrated approach that combines strategic foresight, experimentation, and innovation to make public policy more resilient, inclusive, and forward-thinking.

Despite a growing interest in foresight, many governments still fail to fully integrate these capabilities into core policy processes. This paper addresses the persistent implementation gap by offering a structured framework of guidelines and self-assessment tools to support the institutionalisation of anticipatory governance in public organisations.

The FIELD-SCOPES Framework

The paper introduces a dual framework—FIELD/SCOPES—as a diagnostic and design tool:

FIELD – Five Dimensions of Anticipatory Governance

These represent the benefits that anticipatory governance should deliver:

Future-readiness

Policies that anticipate rather than merely respond to change, informed by scenario planning and early warning systems.

Innovation

Creating space for experimentation and new ideas, including regulatory sandboxes and innovation labs.

Endurance

Policies stress-tested for long-term viability and adaptability to shifting contexts.

Long-term perspective

Institutional mechanisms to ensure continuity beyond electoral cycles and the preservation of knowledge for future generations.

Direction

Coherent long-term visions developed through inclusive stakeholder engagement and alignment of short-term actions with strategic goals.

SCOPES – Six Enabling Factors

These are the conditions necessary for FIELD to function:

Support from Leadership

Political and administrative champions are essential for legitimacy, resourcing, and cultural shift.

Competencies

Building futures-literacy through training, communities of practice, and embedding foresight in public service roles.

Observation of Trends and Signals

Horizon scanning and data analytics to detect emerging issues before they escalate.

Participatory Processes

Involving citizens and stakeholders in shaping visions of the future to enhance democratic legitimacy.

Exchange of Intelligence and Practices

Peer-learning across countries and institutions to refine and adapt foresight methods.

Structures and Procedures

Institutionalising foresight units, mandates, and foresight-informed budgeting and policy cycles.

Global Examples

The paper is grounded in extensive cross-country analysis, offering real-world examples of anticipatory governance in practice:

• Finland requires a government-wide Report on the Future each term.

• Singapore’s Centre for Strategic Futures builds system-wide foresight capabilities.

• Wales has a Future Generations Commissioner enshrined by law.

• Spain 2050 and Lithuania 2050 align national strategy with long-term visions.

• Malta used “futures personas” to stress-test its national education strategy.

Takeaways

The OECD provides a practical assessment framework (annexed in the document) with diagnostic questions for each FIELD and SCOPES dimension. These can be used by governments to evaluate current readiness, design targeted interventions, and create a shared language across ministries.

Ultimately, the report makes a compelling case: in an era of accelerated change, anticipatory governance is not a luxury—it is a democratic and strategic necessity. The FIELD/SCOPES framework empowers public sector organisations to institutionalise foresight, resist short-termism, and build more adaptive and legitimate policy systems.

Make sure you download and read this hands-on and timely guide.