Introduction

This paper is a brief summary of the many components of Capacity Development and applies to international development projects as well as to organizational or community development in any country. The purpose of a development effort is to influence a system to alter its trajectory and achieve a desired effect – this paper provides a framework that actors can use to select appropriate points and types of interventions to achieve their objectives.

Capacity Development is a multi-dimensional activity that can address a variety of components in a development initiative taking place in an environment (government, region, company, NGO, community, etc.). The following chart illustrates these various levels and dimensions, any of which can be the focus of an analysis process or intervention to increase system performance. These are described more fully later in this paper.