Capacity Strengthening Methods

The act of helping an organization improve its abilities to achieve its goals.

The process of identifying the most important areas for improvement within an organization.

Simple, achievable tasks that can generate quick success and build momentum for larger changes.

Points of entry into an organization's system that can be leveraged for change.

The process of identifying an organization's core goals and strategies to align resources and actions effectively.

The internal dynamics and relationships within an organization that influence its performance and culture.

The ability of an organization to learn from its experiences and adapt to changing circumstances.

The understanding that change is a complex and personal process that requires patience, empathy, and trust.

Learning from people in similar situations or those who have faced similar challenges. This often leads to more effective learning compared to formal training.

External organizations with similar size and mission can offer inspiration and resources for developing policies and procedures, particularly those related to areas like child protection.

International organizations are not considered peers due to their wider reach and resources. Their policies and procedures might not be directly applicable to local contexts.

For highly sensitive, complex, or specialized tasks, seeking external expertise is crucial. This may include conducting audits, website development, or staff training.

A collaborative and supportive approach that empowers partners to take ownership of their development. It encourages partners to make decisions and take actions themselves.

Engaging partners in a way that respects their culture and values. It emphasizes participation, inclusion, and shared decision-making.

Focusing on practical application and real-world experience. It emphasizes hands-on learning and problem-solving in the actual context of the partner organization.

Effective capacity strengthening methods often share a common set of characteristics. This allows them to be more effective in achieving their goals.

Engaging with the emotional aspect of change is crucial. It's about connecting with people's feelings and motivations to drive change. Deeply impacting change requires addressing both the intellect and the heart.

Quality capacity strengthening involves making changes gradually and incrementally over time. This approach prioritizes sustainable change rather than expecting rapid transformation.

For effective capacity strengthening, providers should understand the specific context and culture of the organization they are working with. This includes knowledge of local language, customs, and practices.

Effective capacity strengthening involves an approach where the providers prioritize serving the needs of the partner organization and reporting directly to them.

Capacity strengthening providers should be able to clearly communicate expectations at the beginning of a project and ensure that both parties are on the same page.

Effective providers are skilled in guiding group discussions and facilitating collaborative processes. They can create a space for open communication and participation.

Capacity strengthening providers should be able to listen attentively and understand the perspectives and needs of the partner organization.

Good providers are humble, courageous, and committed to the success of the partner organization. They are not arrogant experts, but rather collaborators working alongside the partner.

Consultants who act as facilitators, helping organizations find their own solutions rather than dictating solutions.

The ability to acknowledge the partner's expertise and respectfully challenge their assumptions when necessary.

A process where funders collaborate with grantees to define capacity strengthening needs and create clear expectations for providers.

A document outlining the specific goals, tasks, and responsibilities of a capacity strengthening provider.

Funders sharing their knowledge and experience to help grantees choose the right capacity strengthening provider.

Funders recommending trusted consultants within their network to grantees.

Investing in training programs to develop local capacity strengthening experts.

The creation of a supportive ecosystem that promotes the growth and sustainability of capacity strengthening efforts.