The World Bank Institute in association with the Learning Network on Capacity Development (LenCD), the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Canadian International Development Agency and the InterAmerican Development Bank organized a two-day workshop for practitioners on joint approaches to capacity development. It was facilitated by Mr. Nils Boesen, a leading Danish expert on the issue. The two-day workshop from March 3-4, 2008 presented the key elements of an operational approach to capacity development, building on recent work by the OECD/DAC, LenCD, the World Bank and various bilateral and multilateral agencies. It also demonstrated the key elements and learning modalities for a possible joint learning package, which has been piloted among donors and in several in-country events and which the Bank and its partners are considering for a larger roll-out. The workshop thus also functioned as a “training-of-trainers” event and allowed participants to discuss the proposed format, content, possible target groups, as well as next steps. Background Capacity development is a fundamental development challenge facing both developed and developing nations. Civil society, private sector, and public sector organizations need strengthened capacity to be able to achieve sustainable growth. While some countries and sectors have been able to develop methods to successfully develop capacity, results have in many cases been disappointing, both when it comes to the efforts of countries themselves and the support provided by development agencies. In line with the 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, donors are now increasingly seeking joint approaches to support capacity development in country-led sector or thematic programs. These efforts have built on a convergence of capacity development concepts and approaches that focus on country ownership and leadership, with donors in supportive roles. In recent years, it has also become increasingly evident that successful capacity development requires stronger attention to civil society, parliaments, private sector and other "demand-side" actors that put pressure on institutions to reform and on organizations to perform. It is also increasingly agreed that interventions must look beyond a narrow focus on the public sector to include a wider range of actors. Getting from converging concepts to operational approaches for donor support to capacity development is, however, still a joint challenge. About Nils Boesen Nils Boesen has contributed extensively to methodology development related to capacity development, governance and sector-wide approaches, most recently for the European Commission and the Asian Development Bank. He is currently lead facilitator on the Joint Learning Events on Sector Wide Approaches implemented under the Train4Dev donor consortium, and has facilitated several learning events related to capacity development. Workshop Documents Background Reading Handouts |
RSS