Capacity development

Capacity building (or capacity development) is the process by which individuals and organizations obtain, improve, and retain the skills, knowledge, tools, equipment and other resources needed to do their jobs competently. It also allows individuals and organizations perform at a greater capacity (larger scale, larger audience, larger impact, etc.). 'Capacity building' and 'capacity development' are often used interchangeably. Community capacity building is a conceptual approach toward social, behavioral change and leads to infrastructure development. It focuses on understanding the obstacles that inhibit people, governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from realizing the development goals that will allow them to achieve sustainable results. The term community capacity building emerged in the lexicon of international development during the 1990s. Today, 'community capacity building' is included in the programs of most international organizations that work in development, such as the World Bank, the United Nations and non-governmental organizations like Oxfam International. The pervasive use of the term has resulted in controversy over its true meaning. Community capacity building often refers to strengthening the skills and competencies of people and communities in small businesses and local grassroots movements in order to achieve their goals and overcome particular issues that may cause exclusion. Organizational capacity building is used by NGOs and governments to guide their internal development and activities. Capacity building as a practice tends to treat the range of skills and competencies needed as linked to the immediate task. Martha Nussbaum's Capabilities approach provides more depth to this theory. Alternatively, Paul James proposes the Circles of Social Life approach. Many organizations interpret community capacity building in their own way. Some methods of capacity building include fundraising, training centers, exposure visits, office and documentation support, on-job training, learning centers, and consultation. Developing nations are adopting strategies in the form of capacity building to avoid becoming perpetually dependent on international aid. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was one of the forerunners in developing an understanding of community capacity building and development. Since the early 70s, the UNDP offered guidance to its staff and governments on what was considered 'institution building'. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), formerly the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), defines capacity development in the DRR domain as 'the process by which people, organizations and society systematically stimulate and develop their capability over time to achieve social and economic goals, including through improvement of knowledge, skills, systems, and institutions – within a wider social and cultural enabling environment.'