Country Research Studies on Local Capacity Development

This study provides an overview of the mainstream approaches to capacity development in Cambodia, identifying the critical factors determining effectiveness of capacity development efforts. It also highlights ‘good practices’ and provides recommendations for the future. The study also includes three good practice case studies, including one that focuses on gender equality issues.

This study presents important research on the Indonesian experience of gender responsive capacity development at the local level. While sub-national governments in Indonesia are increasingly responsible for delivering a wide range of basic services to local communities, many lack the capacities to meet all the requirements of their roles and functions. This report makes clear why it is important to adopt a systematic approach to identifying, assessing and rectifying these capacity gaps in Indonesia. It also provides some important insights into the kinds of gender responsive capacity development programs that have been initiated in Indonesia as well assessing which of these have worked and why.

Given that limited research has been carried out in Nepal regarding local capacity development, exploring its current status is considered essential for the identification of issues and opportunities. This research study considers the local capacity development challenge as it relates to local needs-based decision making at the sub-national level; resources needed to meet the financial gaps for local capacity development; and improving the effectiveness and accountability of interventions made by various development partners in Nepal.

The focus of the research was on what is being done in the public sector, by donors and by civil society to promote local capacity in Pakistan. Although the research attempts to gather key ‘facts and figures’, e.g. levels of investment in capacity development, the main focus was on issues and concepts in promotion of local capacity development in Pakistan. These included identifying approaches taken by different stakeholders, assessing what is working and what is not, identifying the main challenges and problems faced, highlighting examples of good/innovative practice, and based on all these, making recommendations for improvement.

The connection between capacity development at the sub-national level and attainment of the Millennium Development Goals is gaining recognition and acceptance. However, there is a need to document actual experiences of developing countries in mobilizing dedicated investments for local level capacity development as a prerequisite for achieving the MDGs. Hence, the need to gather evidence in Asia, the Philippines included. This study reviews and analyzes emerging approaches, strategies and experiences of investing in local government capacity development in the Philippines; and makes recommendations for improving local capacity development initiatives by government, donors and civil society.

In order to maintain economic growth and successfully enter into a new phase of development, Vietnam will have to strengthen its institutional and human resource base. Capacity development, especially at local (provincial, district and commune) levels, will be the key to achieving this objective. This study discusses the trends and structure of government investments in capacity development, as well as relevant policy issues. It also reviews the current status of local CD investments by the main international donors and development organizations in Vietnam. In addition, it considers important gender dimensions of CD initiatives.