Governments worldwide are increasingly relying on private consulting firms to assist with policy development and administrative tasks. While these firms provide specialized expertise, critics argue that this trend creates significant risks, including excessive public spending and a lack of accountability. The issue gained significant public attention in France, where the administration of President Emmanuel Macron faced intense scrutiny over its extensive use of the U.S.-based consulting giant McKinsey.

In response to these global concerns, UNESCO’s Inclusive Policy Lab, led by Iulia Sevciuc, has developed a new framework designed to help governments manage and limit their dependence on external contractors. The blueprint suggests that by building internal capacity and expertise, public institutions can regain control over policy-making processes that have increasingly been outsourced. The report emphasizes that unchecked reliance on private firms can undermine democratic transparency and lead to inefficient use of taxpayer funds. While the report focuses on the structural problems of outsourcing, it serves as a guide for nations looking to balance the need for external advice with the necessity of maintaining sovereign policy control.