Capacity Building with Grassroots Organizations

What is Capacity Building?

Capacity building at the grassroots often refers to providing assistance that to local community based organizations, which have a need to develop a certain skill or competence, or for general upgrading of performance ability. 

The UNDP defines ‘capacity building’ as the creation of an enabling environment with appropriate policy and legal frameworks, institutional development, including community participation (of women in particular), human resources development and strengthening of managerial systems, recognizing that capacity building is a long-term, continuing process, in which all stakeholders participate (ministries, local authorities, non-governmental organizations and water user groups, professional associations, academics and others).

Capacity Building is much more than training and includes the following:

• Human resource development, the process of equipping individuals with the understanding, skills and access to information, knowledge and training that enables them to perform effectively.
• Organizational development, the elaboration of management structures, processes and procedures, not only within organizations but also the management of relationships between the different organizations and sectors (public, private and community).
• Institutional and legal framework development, making legal and regulatory changes to enable organizations, institutions and agencies at all levels and in all sectors to enhance their capacities.

 What is IDF’s History and Experience in this Domain?

IDF is not only a recipient of capacity building from organizations like VSO, but it also provides capacity building services to other organizations.  IDF possess a number of transferable skills that can help other organizations grow and learn. Some the capacity building projects IDF has carried out with local groups include:

• Working with Community Development Associations to ensure they are able to manage and maintain the development in their communities (see local economic development section);
• Empowering local NGOs and development groups in topics such as resource mobilization;
• Training grassroot organizations on marketing, and planning and assessment;
• Empowering local animators to engage and mobilize their communities; and
• Building Coaching Capacities.