Capacity Development

Capacity development is the process by which individuals, organizations and societies gain the abilities and tools to perform functions, solve problems and set and achieve goals. It builds on and harnesses rather than replaces indigenous knowledge and experience. Capacity development is about promoting learning, boosting empowerment, building social capital, creating enabling environments, integrating cultures and orienting personal and societal behavior. The importance of capacity development has never been greater, as people all over the world confront the extraordinary challenges of sustainable human development. It is recognized as the key prerequisite for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in developing countries.

A Global Parnership

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has partnered with the Development Gateway to globally spread awareness about capacity development through this dgCommunity. This community aims to forge a broad network of individuals and organizations in both developed and developing countries, from governments, civil society groups, think tanks, and other organizations. This partnership will provide an advanced knowledge-networking tool for facilitating the exchange of information on capacity development principles, best practices, and lessons from experience.

Editorial Focus

Our dgCommunity features content relevant to capacity development. Since capacity development is a broad topic, the guides and advisors for this site have identified the following key issues to be highlighted:  

• Basic Principles & Concepts  
• Methods & Approaches  
• Indicators, Measurement & Evaluation  
• Lessons & Examples from Experience  
• Donor Practices  
• Fragile States  
• Leadership  
• Brain Drain  
• Millennium Development Goals  
• Capacity Development and HIV/AIDS

Featured Content

Featured content on the website can be submitted by any registered member or organization, consistent with the Development Gateway's open editorial system, through a user-friendly content tool and interface. The platform aims to function as an important vehicle for stimulating knowledge exchange and discourse geared towards strengthening local capacities.

Content resources include links to important events, news, data, publications, programs, best practices, organizations, training information and research. A monthly newsletter informs subscribers of the latest developments and learning resources available electronically. The website also hosts moderated forum discussions on relevant issues.

We welcome your insights, experiences, and ideas to the page.