Capacity development for local organizations

Abstract

Capacity and capacity development have been key concerns of the international development community since the start of foreign assistance following World War II. Donor projects and programs have aimed to increase capacity through a variety of interventions, ranging from resource transfers to training to organizational strengthening. Debates continue regarding the effectiveness of capacity-development interventions to contribute to achieving sustainable socioeconomic results. However, such debates notwithstanding, donor assistance policy—driven by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD’s) 2005 Paris Declaration, and reinforced in the 2008 Accra and 2011 Busan meetings—is increasingly focused on promoting country ownership, channeling aid through country systems, and working with local organizations (OECD, 2005, 2011).