Capacity development in fragile situations

1

• Capacity development in fragile situations
• A Global Perspective
• Pilar Domingo
• Overseas Development Institute

2
Outline

• Challenges of fragility
• Dilemmas and priorities of capacity development
  (CD) in fragile situations
• working out the how, who and where of CD
• Objectives of CD in fragile situations

3
Challenges of fragility for capacity
development

• Heightened levels of mistrust and/or conflict
• Polarised and unhelpful elites, and atomised
  societies ? fractured social cohesion
• Hybrid political orders, and an imbalance between
  formal and informal institutions

4
Where to start The how of CD

• Prioritising do no harm
• Prioritising local ownership
• Context is everything (understand the politics,
  and the drivers of fragility)
• Accept complexity and unpredictability as a
  constant
• Managing (if not resolving) dilemmas

5
Who to work with the importance of agency

• Working with leadership at multiple levels
  (state, non-state and community level)
• Supporting multi-stakeholder alliances for change

6
Where - priority areas for CD in fragile
situations

• Restoring basic services security, rule of law,
  PFM, basic services
• Identifying and enhancing demand-led
  opportunities for voice, accountability and
  governance
• Building on existing capacities however small
• Facilitating dialogue and negotiation skills
• Building and sharing south-south knowledge

7
Capacity development in fragile situations for
what?

• Building capacities that reduce fragility
• Unleashing the potential for change
• Altering mindsets and behavior
• Reshaping power and public authority
• Enhancing intangible outcomes (around
  legitimacy, voice, accountability and resilient
  state society relations)