This is the final report of the European Centre for Development Policy Management's study on capacity development which began in 2002, containing the findings of 16 case studies exploring why capacity development occurs and what lessons can be learnt to improve external interventions. It explores issues surrounding capacity development, the context and the dimensions and the relationship between capacity development, change and improving performance. The study identifies five core competencies t more...

'Growing demand for energy and natural resources has led many low-income, resource-rich countries to open remote areas to industrial development. Even as a financial crisis engulfed the global economy in 2008 and 2009, projects such as oil pipelines, roads, and mines continued to remain key development priorities.'
Source: WRI

'This issue of Capacity.Org looks at the capacities that need to be developed in order for the water and sanitation MDGs targets for 2015 to be achievable. The main focus is on capacity needs at the intermediate and local levels, but links between macro-level policy making and local-level implementation are also addressed.'

'In 2009, UNDP Capacity Development Group has launched a global campaign on capacity development with the aim of gathering more evidence on what works in capacity development. This is also a call to partners for engagement and a convening of the global community of experts and practitioners.
This note is a brief summary of a campaign ‘of sorts’ that involves the gathering of more evidence, a call to partners for engagement, a convening of the global community of experts, thinkers and pract more...

'Failure to achieve gender equality in education is often blamed on 'weak capacity'. This paper illustrates the ways in which individual, organisational, and institutional capacity all play important roles in producing positive results for girls. It is essential to recognise that these different forms of capacity are related, in order to prevent the disappearance of policies and strategies produced with the aim of achieving gender equality in education.'

Source: Oxfam

'China’s progress in poverty reduction over the last 25 years is enviable. One cannot fail to be impressed by what this vast nation of 1.3 billion people has achieved in so little time. In terms of a wide range of indicators, the progress has been remarkable. Poverty in terms of Income and consumption has been dramatically reduced. Progress has also been substantial in terms of human development indicators. Most of the Millennium Development Goals have either already been achieved or the count more...

The International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP) represents over 600 million farm families. Former IFAP president Jack Wilkinson talks to Capacity.org about the role of producer organizations in addressing the food crisis.

'This reports explores agricultural research systems in Africa and assesses the need for further capacity building in this area. This “needs assessment” is conducted with a particular focus on the role that NEPAD should play in that context.
The report argues that capacity building to enhance agricultural science in Africa is an area to which NEPAD should give high priority.'

This report by the European Centre for Development Policy Management reflects on the different ways to think about capacity development and what works, why, and when. It looks at the different conditions under which capacity development takes place, then at various strategies for change, both internal and external. The report is the result of a study which began in 2003 to provide a new perspective on capacity development issues. The study includes 18 case studies, five workshop reports, a synth more...

'The dominant “budget support” modality in international aid does not adequately address demand-oriented capacity development of local actors. SNV therefore aims to help increase access for local organizations to (sustainable) funding for capacity development in a way that empowers them to acquire tailor made services geared towards their needs. This paper explores the fundamental dimensions of SNV’s local capacity development funding mechanisms (LCDF) concept – starting from its basic a more...