capacity4dev

Search the web for capacity development (CD) tools and methodologies and you are likely to find hundreds or even thousands of references, particularly if you include "organisational development" in your search. So how can one find a way through this jungle of material? The platform www.Capacity4Dev.eu aims to provide a helping hand.

There are a lot of approaches, methodologies, toolkits, assessment instruments and questionnaires available for use by staff and managers in organisations, or for use by consultants. Quantity is not the problem. The problem is how to find your way to something "good enough" that serves your purpose, or the purposes of those you work with.

No single set of tools and approaches to CD can claim superiority. There are, however, some basic principles and good practices to follow. Europeaid has developed tools and material reflecting this emerging consensus and state of the art thinking in this area:

- The EC Guidelines on "Making Technical Cooperation More Effective", 2009, notably section 3.3 presenting recommendations about the approach, the principles and key questions to direct work.

- The EC "Toolkit for Capacity Development" , 2009

- The EC Reference Documents on "Institutional Assessment and Capacity Development", 2005

Remember that the "how" is as important as the "what". Paying attention to the process of capacity assessment can influence results as much as the details of the assessment areas. To start on the right foot, self assessments are recommended and partner countries, or the concerned organisations, should always lead or coordinate the exercise.

Click here to see recommended links and tools. Suggestions for additions and updates are, of course, most welcome. We aim to keep this resource guide alive as a path through the jungle of material, recognising that there are many such paths...!