Governments today operate in an environment of heightened complexity, where policy challenges are increasingly interconnected, resources are constrained, and citizens’ expectations of public services continue to rise. Delivering government priorities requires not only clear political direction, but also strong institutional capabilities to co-ordinate action across government. In this context, the role of the centre of government has become more critical than ever.
This report, Building Centre of Government Capabilities to Steer and Deliver Complex Priorities, examines how centres of government (CoGs) can better support heads of government and cabinets in setting priorities, aligning institutions, and ensuring that policy ambitions are translated into tangible results. Drawing on evidence from six countries (Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Ireland, Poland, and Portugal) it provides insights into how governments are adapting their structures, processes, and capabilities to respond to increasingly complex demands.
The report highlights three areas that are central to effective delivery. First, it explores how governments organise themselves and the role of the centre of government in steering machinery-of-government changes, to better align administrative structures with political priorities. Second, it examines how CoGs support prioritisation and planning, helping to translate broad political programmes into a manageable and coherent set of commitments. Third, it focuses on the capabilities required for cross-government co-ordination and policy development, including analytical capacity, data systems, and collaborative networks across ministries.
Across these areas, a consistent message emerges: effective CoGs act not only as co-ordinators, but as strategic advisors. They help bridge the divide between political leadership and the public administration, broker consensus across competing interests, and sustain attention on long-term outcomes, including by ensuring preparedness and resilience. At the same time, the report underscores the risks of overextension, fragmented mandates, and insufficient analytical capacity at the centre, highlighting the importance of clear role definition and disciplined choices about where and how the centre should engage.
The findings presented here contribute to the OECD’s Government Unstuck agenda, which seeks to support governments in overcoming persistent barriers to delivery and rebuilding trust in public institutions. They point to practical steps that can strengthen the centre’s ability to steer effectively, including embedding priorities in core government routines, investing in data and analytical capabilities, and fostering stronger collaboration across institutional boundaries.
This report was prepared as part of a project funded by the European Union via the Technical Support Instrument, in close co-operation with the European Commission. It reflects the commitment of participating countries to learning from each other’s experiences and to strengthening their governance systems in the face of shared challenges. By bringing together comparative evidence and practical lessons, this report aims to inform ongoing reform efforts across the OECD and contribute to more effective, responsive, and resilient public institutions.