OVERVIEW
What is it?
Institutional assessment and capacity development is a reference document in the Tools and Methods series offering a conceptual framework for institutional capacity assessment and development, as well as guidance through the processes.
What can it be used for?
The reference document can be used as guidance when working through partner institutions, particularly, but not exclusively, in the public sector. It complements the Toolkit for Capacity Development, allowing engagement through dialogue with stakeholders and institutional development specialists. Originally designed to support a sector approach, the reference document can serve as a useful basis for budget support analysis as well.
When can it be used?
The Institutional assessment and capacity development guidelines offer a framework for country-led dialogue and joint analyses of institutional capacity. This guidance should be used in parallel with the design of the intervention, allowing for operational formulation of expected institutional development objectives and results.
Who can use it?
- EU staff and partner country organisations, when tasked with assessing or developing the capacity of a sector, subsector or individual organisation.
What are its strengths?
- Offers a conceptual framework for analysing elements influencing institutional development in terms of capacity, highlighting the endogenous character of the process.
What are its limitations?
- While it offers useful and practical definitions and dimensions of analysis linked to capacity development processes, it is more a broad guidance than a methodology.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Key elements
The assessment of institutional capacity is based on an open systems approach which looks at organisations in relation to their context, recognising the influence of external factors in all dimensions – including capacity. A five-step approach is proposed:
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Source: Institutional Assessment and Capacity Development, Box 2
Requirements
Data/information. Every capacity development process will require analysis of the specific context.
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- Many capacity development efforts suffer from over-specification of technical inputs and under-specification of change management tasks and functions. More comprehensive change demands leadership engagement and support as well as ownership by partner organisations. The guide can help to widen the focus of capacity development planning beyond its technical aspects.
- Staff as well as leadership should be involved in the assessment process and in capacity development design.
EU RESOURCES
- The European Commission (EC), Tools and Methods Series. Reference Document Nº 1, 2005: Institutional Assessment and Capacity Development Why, what and how?
- The European Commission (EC), Tools and Methods Series. Reference Document Nº 6, 2006: Toolkit for Capacity Development.
OTHER RESOURCES
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