Capacity Strengthening

The Centre for Capacity Research at LSTM is spearheading the institutional capacity strengthening initiative, which will identify and address key gaps in partner institutions’ capacity to support both research and uptake of research findings via the application of an iterative ‘5-step’ approach.

After a rapid assessment is undertaken to understand the current capacity requirements, an action plan including strategies for promoting the sustainability of the new capacity is agreed upon and is incorporated into the programme or institution’s routine operations. The robust, but flexible, action plan includes indicators for measuring progress which can be reviewed as the five-step approach is implemented. The Centre for Capacity Research continues to provide support with monitoring the progress and revision of the action plan.The Centre for Capacity Research has developed a five-step approach that identifies the existing capacity, and actions required, to achieve agreed and clearly defined goals. The pathway focuses not only on technical, managerial and financial processes within organisations, but also on the individuals in those organisations. The built-in opportunities for lesson learning and improvement within this approach means that initiatives can be scaled-up and become independently sustainable. The five-step approach is based on evidence from the Centre for Capacity Research's own and other research and has been tested and critiqued in diverse organisational and country settings.