approaches, experiences
& challenges

These are excerpts from the paper presented in the 5th Danida workshop. To download the full paper … click here

Areas of Capacity Building

We believe that capacity building is a means and not an end in itself. Hence, capacity building in ISPWDK is a continuous process which flows through different stages of project cycle and across the focus areas / project interventions. The very nature of process orientation of project enables partners to adopt different methodologies and systems, thereby providing maximum learning. Nevertheless, the key areas around which capacity building is concentrated are:

1. Stages of project cycle
2. Project Focus Areas / Interventions namely –
   • Watershed Development.
   • Agriculture Production.
   • Livelihood Promotion.
   • Documentation.
3. Organisational Development whish includes
   • Computerized MIS
   • Team building
   • Innovative approaches / ideas
   • Advanced financial management
   • Facilitation skills
   • Personality development

Approaches / Tools in Capacity Building

• The interest groups / individuals associated with each project interventions are identified and the learning needs to actualize the project objectives are devised jointly with them.
• Learning events are organized in such a way that they are tailor made, learner centered and performance oriented (experiential learning). Follow up and application of newly learned skills is considered as integral part of any capacity building.
• The project partners undergo a series of capacity building events, which is a blend of conventional and participatory extension methodologies. This also resembles the current SDC/IC’s philosophy of partnership (IMDK) i.e. Initiating, Maintaining, Departing and Keep in Touch.
• To translate new learning into field level realities in short project period, an accompaniment support is provided to partners by resource organizations.
• Each capacity building event, especially training is designed with an ultimate aim to develop community trainers / resource persons. This is to ensure that the ownership & knowledge lies with community to help them to maintain & develop the project interventions in future.

Challenges / Concerns

In this journey of capacity building of partners to achieve the objectives of empowerment, ownership and sustainability, there are a few challenges / concerns encountered by the project. This should be brought to attention of interveners in the field of watershed development & NRM. They are:

• There has been a serious concern on the drain of organizational capacities, once the staff or community resource person leaves.
• The project is investing on developing local resource persons, but the question arises on sustainability of their skills and scope for its utilization after the project period is over.
• Since our partner NGOs are working in remote and harsh conditions, they find difficult to get and retain qualified female staff.
• The project feels that real empowerment / ownership of community takes place by allowing them to manage the funds and made accountable for it. Although VDS were formed for this cause, NGOs are the custodian of project funds and they transfer it to VDS / WMC as advance due to legal and Foreign Currency Regulation Act (FCRA) compliances.

... read the entire paper