Capacity Development

Links*

Multilateral/Bilateral Organizations Dedicated CD Sites

African Development Bank (AfDB) This site provides information regarding AfDB's capacity building efforts, which includes developing research and training institutes e.g. the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), African Development Institute (ADI) and the Joint African Institute (JAI).

Australian Agency for International Development (AusAid) AusAid's capacity development activities have been mainstreamed into most aid projects. The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands or RAMSI provides an example of these efforts. A joint Solomon Islands Government - RAMSI Capacity Development Working Group provides a high-level joint mechanism for oversight and review of counterpart arrangements and capacity development activities.

Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) This site outlines CIDA's approach to public sector capacity building and provides information on capacity development activities in CIDA funded projects.

Danish International Development Agency DANIDA's DevForum provides information and news on development priorities and themes in Danish development assistance.

Department for International Development, United Kingdom (DFID) The site provides information about Drivers of Change (DoC) DFID's approach to capacity development and links to a dedicated resource center on this topic.

European Commission's Capacity4Dev.eu is an interactive platform that supports the EC's efforts to make technical cooperation more effective. The platform is an open forum where EC staff at country level and in headquarters, development practitioners, partner countries, other donors, academics and civil society representatives can share ideas and knowledge.

German Development Service (DED) DED promotes democracy, civil society, rule of law, and local development through its capacity building activities for local authorities and civil society organisations and its civil conflict management project.

Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) This site highlights GTZ's work on capacity development, which has been identified as a key theme or Spotlight of the Year for 2007.

Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) This site includes information on IADB's capacity development projects, training courses on organizational and institutional analysis, and approach to development effectiveness and public sector capacity building.

IInWEnt - Capacity Building International, Germany, offers worldwide operations dedicated to human resource development, advanced training, and dialogue. InWent's capacity building programs are directed at experts and executives from politics, administration, the business community, and civil society. The site also hosts the Global Campus 21, InWent's global platform for advanced knowledge and training and the Alumni Portal which carries a pool of information for InWent alumni and other interested individuals.

Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA) This site provides information on JICA's activities and outlines JICA's approach to capacity development, which is supported through technical assistance in the areas of human resources development, organizational reinforcement, and institution building with the aim of strengthening the people's capacity in developing countries (partner countries) so that they can manage their affairs successfully and resolve issues on their own. The site also hosts the Joint Study on Effective Technical Cooperation for Capacity Development, which includes 11 partner countries and 7 donors.

Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) Common Assessment Performance System (COMPAS) COMPAS provides a common ground where the five members of the MDB Working Group on Managing for Development Results (MfDR) may jointly report on their own performance.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)'s Development Co-operation Directorate (DCD-DAC) This site provides OECD's approach and summary of activities to advance capacity development among donor agencies.

The Partnership for Democratic Governance (PDG) is a new multilateral initiative designed to assist developing countries, wherever capacity is limited, to improve governance, strengthen capacity and accountability and effectively deliver essential services such as efficient customs, judicial and tax services.

Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) SIDA's international training programmes aim to contribute to capacity development and processes of change in partner countries and other developing countries. These programmes are guided by SIDA's policy on capacity development.

Stichting Nederlandse Vriwilligers (SNV) Netherlands Development Organization This site highlights SNV's work on capacity development, which is central to its mission of "connecting people's capacities."

United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) UNCDF offers investment capital, capacity building and technical advisory services to promote microfinance and local development in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

United Nations Development Program (UNDP) This site describes UNDP's initiatives to help develop the capacities to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, including its flagship initiative, Capacity 2015. The site also features UNDP's Resource and Tools Center, which contains a library of tools, methodologies, case studies, expert roster, and list of useful links. On a global level, UNDP's Oslo Governance Centre provides targeted learning and capacity development programs to build governance capacities.

United Nations Institute for Training and Research UNITAR's programmes are established under two main clusters of activity: training in international affairs management and training and capacity building in economic and social development. The site includes access to training materials and publications and information on dedicated resources.

World Bank's Capacity Development Resource Center WB's resource center provides information on upcoming events, recent case studies, lessons learned, "how to" approaches, partner networks, and good CD practices. The site also includes links to international and local CD agencies, information on evaluation capacity development, and features a series of Capacity Development/Enhancement Briefs on a range of relevant topics.

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Global Initiatives/Resources

British Library of Development Studies (BLDS) BLDS is an information portal with links to a range of resources (datasets, publications, indicators) on key development issues.

Capacity.org This site is dedicated to advancing the policy and practice of capacity building in international development cooperation. In addition to serving as a clearinghouse for information and upcoming events, the site features a listing of key CD Networks.

Cap-Net Cap-Net is an international network for capacity building in integrated water resource management (IWRM), comprising autonomous international, regional and national institutions and networks committed to capacity building in the water sector. The site includes links to other networks, publications, databases, training materials, and projects focused on building capacity in the water sector.

Center for International Development and Conflict Management CIDCM's Partners in Conflict and Partners in Peace-building Project helps to build capacity for conflict prevention and transformation through training programs and participating in early response programs to support preventative diplomacy.

Community Information Empowerment and Technology (CIET) CIET's network of ngos, academic institutes, and foundations are focused on building community capacities for governance. Efforts to build institutional capacity include longer training courses, production of training materials and, in some cases, the creation of national NGOs that bear the CIET name to carry out the work begun internationally.

Development Gateway This site is an information portal hosting on-line communities, discussion forums and an array of country resources focused on key development issues, including Capacity Development and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Doha Development Agenda Trade Capacity Building Database This database has been established jointly by the WTO and OECD to provide information on trade related technical assistance and capacity building projects.

The Emergency Capacity Building Project The ECB is a collaborative effort of seven humanitarian agencies that are jointly tackling common problems in emergency response and preparedness. The site provides information on ECB's initiatives, assessment tools, ICT4emergencies resource center and publications.

Eldis This site is an information gateway hosted by the Institute of Development Studies, Sussex, which aims to disseminate the best in development policy, practice and research. It publishes a series of resource guides and web links on relevant topics including governance, accountability, corruption, and transparency, as well as tracking progress on other topics, including capacity development.

European Centre for Development Policy Management ECDPM is an independent foundation whose capacity building activities aim to improve cooperation between Europe and countries in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. ECDPM facilitates the Capacity.org resource site and leads the global "Study on Capacity, Change and Performance." The site includes links to the study's case studies, thematic papers, and synthesis reports.

Evaluation Capacity Development Group (ECDG) The Evaluation Capacity Development Group (ECDG) was formed to develop the capacity of small to medium nonprofit organizations to conduct evaluation by themselves.

Global Development Learning Network The Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) is a partnership of over 120 learning centers (GDLN Affiliates) in nearly 80 countries around the world. GDLN Affiliates collaborate in holding events that connect people across countries and regions for learning and dialogue on development issues.

Global Knowledge Partnership GKP is an evolving, informal partnership of organizations-public, private and not-for-profit-committed to sharing information, experiences and resources to promote broad access to, and effective use of, knowledge and information as tools of sustainable, equitable development.

Global Development Network (GDN) GDN is a worldwide network of research and policy institutes working to provide a fresh and relevant perspective to current development challenges. The site provides links to regional network partners and publications on key topics.

Institute for Development Policy and Management- University of Manchester IDPM aims to promote social and economic development particularly within lower-income countries and for disadvantaged groups, by enhancing the capabilities of individuals and organisations through education, training, consultancy services, research, and policy analysis. Several of IDPM's multi-disciplinary research groups have dedicated training and research focused on governance and capacity building.

Institute of Development Studies (IDS) IDS conducts research, teaching and communications on issues relevant to international development, including capacity development. The site features a research gateway, providing information on IDS' major areas of work, projects, publications, experts, news, events and a wealth of related resources and links to several information clearinghouses through its knowledge sharing and consultancy work.

Impact Alliance IA is a membership-based capacity building network hosted by PACT. This site provides access to resources and opportunities to build organizational and network capacities.

International Budget Project IBP produces the Open Budget Index (OBI) which assesses the public availability of key budget documents, the quality of information they provide, and the timeliness of their dissemination in 59 countries. The IBP aims to encourage participation and build civil society budget capacity.

International NGO Training and Research Centre INTRAC's website provides access to an extensive database on electronic resources, specifically on organizational capacity building, strengthening civil society and participatory development.

International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR) ISNAR is a research and outreach division of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) based in Addis Ababa. This site outlines IFPRI's approach to capacity strengthening and contains useful resources including a monthly newsletter, a virtual "global e-learning" room, and access to training workshops and events' schedules and materials.

LEAD LEAD is an international non-governmental organization focused on building leadership capacities to sustain development efforts in more than 80 countries. The site features information about its training and capacity building activities network, and programs.

Learning Network on Capacity Development (LenCD) LenCD is a knowledge sharing network development agencies, donors and NGOs focused on capacity development. LenCD's website is under development. In the meantime, you can find information on LenCD's activities in the World Bank's Capacity Development Resource Center.

Livelihoods Connect LC is a part of Institute of Development Studies (IDS) knowledge services group and provides resources on the sustainable livelihoods approach, including case studies, toolkits, and training resources.

OneWorld.net One World is a central portal for information about civil society and global development issues. The site features a series of topic guides, including one on capacity development.

Outcome Mapping OM is an on-line learning community, developed in close collaboration with users of Outcome Mapping from across the world. The site aims to be a virtual hub to connect users to share experiences and new resources, featuring an online dialogue forum and resource library of tools.

Oxford Policy Management This site outlines OPM's training and capacity building work and provides links to publications and other resources on related development topics.

Overseas Development Institute (ODI) The site features several relevant resources including a global community of practice network, an experts' blog, and a Research in Policy and Development or RAPID portal, which include publications, information on upcoming events, toolkits, and the latest commentary on relevant capacity development issues and ongoing global governance assessments.

Process and Change Consultancy PCC specializes in organizational and management development, and in methodologies for delivery of development assistance. The site features several publications focused on capacity development, public financial management, and other development topics.

PSO PSO is an umbrella organization which aims to contribute to the structural alleviation of poverty throughout the world by strengthening the capacity of civil society organisations in developing countries. The site includes a knowledge centre with links to relevant resources on capacity development.

The Scaling Up Poverty Reduction Initiative This initiative is part of a global learning process that allows key development actors to share their experiences and policy lessons learned from poverty reduction initiatives around the world. This site offers access to presentations, case studies, and other resources shared during the Shanghai Conference for scaling up poverty reduction. More than one hundred case studies of poverty reduction were developed for the initiative.

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Regional Initiatives/Resources

Capacity Strengthening in Nutrition in Asia (CASNA) CASNA is a regional initiative of the United Nations Standing Committee on Nutrition's Working Group on Capacity Development which aims to strengthen the capacity of individuals and institutions to solve key food and nutrition issues.

Center for Democratic Institutions CDI's training courses and dialogue programs aims to harness Australian and international best practice to support regional partner countries to strengthen their parliaments and political parties.

The East Asian Development Network (EADN) is a network of research institutions in the developing countries of East Asia under GDN focused on strengthening capacity of research institutions and researchers in developing East Asia to undertake high quality development-focused and policy-relevant research in the social sciences, that can be used in policy analysis, debates and inputs at the regional and national levels.

Oceania Development Network (ODN) ODN provides a platform for researchers in the Pacific region to share knowledge and skills to foster team research, to identify contemporary issues that underpin the development agenda in the Oceania region through high quality research, information dissemination and contribute to policies. Activities include quarterly development research seminars, capacity building workshops, and regional conferences.

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat The Forum's initiatives and programs provide assistance to Pacific region countries to help them develop strategic partnerships and improve development cooperation and aid effectiveness. The site provides access to research and documents on key strategic issues, including sustainable development.

The South Asia Network of Economic Research Institutes (SANEI) SANEI is GDN's regional network partner for South Asia, with membership of 48 research institutes, spread across Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

UNDP's Regional Centre (Bangkok) hosts the Cap2015 Asia Information and Learning Network (ILN) designed to aid effective and efficient implementation of the MDGs and other sustainable development activities at the local (community/sub-national) level and to ensure that information, knowledge, experience, best practices and expertise are exchanged and applied.

UNDP's Regional Initiative on Environmental Governance(REG) REG is a part of UNDP's Capacity 2015 initiative aiming to empower local communities to take part in the decision making processes that may impact negatively on the environment and also ensures fair and equal access to natural resources and the environment.

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Country-level Initiatives/Resources

Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) BRAC is the world’s largest NGO, working to alleviate poverty in Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. As part of the Global Partnership, BRAC offers postgraduate programmes in NGO leadership and management to build community capacities.

Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) Cambodian Rehabilitation and Development Board (CRDB) is the focal point for the Government of Cambodia’s efforts to build national capacities. CDC has partnered with the Joint Technical Working Group on Partnership and Harmonization (P & H TWG) to improve the provision and management of technical cooperation and better understand its impact on capacity development in Cambodia.

National Centre for Advocacy Studies-India (NCAS) NCAS is a social change resource centre working with social action groups, public interest professionals and citizens from all over India and the Global South.

Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) Common Assessment Performance System (COMPAS) COMPAS provides a common ground where the five members of the MDB Working Group on Managing for Development Results (MfDR) may jointly report on their own performance. While the initiative’s focus is not on reporting country-level results, the group has outlined country-level strategies and matrix of country capacity to manage for development results.

The Third Roundtable on Managing for Development Results focused on country-to-country learning. More than 45 country teams initiated a Country Action Planning Process [ PDF ] and developed Country Action Plans to help the donor community at the country level target resources to overcome current gaps in capacity.