Whose Capacity?
All the definitions of capacity development provided here above suggest that capacity development is a process that takes place at three different levels: the individual level, the organisational level and the systemic/societal level.
The individual level - Individuals, as the tissues of organisations and societies, represent the first layer of capacity. For societies and organisations to transform and grow, they need individuals with skills, knowledge and experience. At the individual level capacity development takes place through demand-driven processes of learning and knowledge acquisition and sharing, experiencing, participation in communities of practice, south-south learning initiatives, on-the-job training, mentoring and coaching and other learning techniques that empower and place the individual in a central and active position. This new approach to capacity development moves away from the traditional technical assistance, mostly based on supply-driven technical training and workshops.
The organisational/institutional level - The second layer of capacity is the organisational or institutional level. As individuals make up the tissues of organisations and institutions, the sharing of skills, knowledge, experience and values amongst individuals belonging to a group or organisation translates, over time, into the very organisation’s capacity, consisting of procedures, systems, policies and culture. However, while the collective set of capacities of individuals ultimately translates into the organisational and institutional capacity, the latter by far exceeds the sum of the capacities of their members. Developing organisations or institutions’ capacity means fostering change within their complex system of policies, systems, procedures, regulations and organisational culture; a process, the latter, which is endogenous and voluntary, fully owned and controlled by the organisations and institutions that are undertaking change.
The societal level - The third layer at which capacity development takes place is the societal level. This third level has been long neglected in development theory and considered an externality to the capacity development process, which has traditionally focused on the individual and the organisational level. Transformation and change that happens at the societal level overhauls and, at the same time, is driven by that which takes place within individuals and organisations that make that society. In turn, the values system of a society, its customs, body of laws and policies, the system of governance are all elements that impinge on the ability of individuals and organisations to develop further their capacity and transform. Change in capacity at the societal level is a long process, which is difficult to control and steer; however, it is not to be considered an externality or a variable that cannot be controlled for.
These three different levels of capacity development are indeed equally important and strictly interdependent: capacity development interventions at one level are likely to have an impact on other levels as well. Likewise, if investments in capacity are made only at one of these three levels, neglecting the others, the results might not be long-lasting and sustainable as they might be confined to a small group of individuals or organisations.
A good example of the three interconnected levels of capacity development is that borrowed from the justice system. A well functioning and capable justice system needs to have skillful and professional judges, prosecutors, attorneys and court secretaries – individual level capacity; it also needs good court procedures in place, a body of laws and redress mechanisms, a well functioning and non-corrupt police force – institutional level capacity; finally it needs to be embedded in a society with a culture of addressing issues through the formal justice system, with a strong values system based on 'what is right and wrong' as well as on citizenry responsibility - system or societal level capacity. All the above mentioned levels are equally important and interdependent: a system which has good judges and court houses but is embedded in a society where fear and intimidation obstruct the normal course of justice and inhibit people from reporting crimes and injustice is not an effective one; conversely, a society whose underlying values are human rights and justice, which is deprived of a well functioning justice system and police force, with no sound procedures, flawed laws and unskilled judges, prosecutors and lawyers would not be able to properly and effectively exercise justice.
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