Capacity Development
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FAO's capacity development approach
FAO’ approach to capacity development in member countries focuses on three dimensions:
- individuals
- organizations; and
- the broader enabling environment.
Learning new skills and acquiring knowledge is not enough. To have the desired impact, new knowledge must be:
- aligned with organizations’ mandates; and
- integrated into their systems and processes.
In turn, for organizations to be effective, they must operate in a conducive enabling environment.
> Find out more about FAO’s capacity development approach
Capacity development in the EU FAO Programme
Although direct technical support is often provided, the ultimate aim of the programme is to develop national and regional capacity in a variety of food security related fields. This will ensure that countries undertake new ways of working which have a concrete impact on improving food security analysis and decision making.
The Programme's capacity development activities will:
- be aligned with national priorities– such as those identified in National Agriculture Sector Plans, Poverty Reduction Strategies, etc. ;
- be based on assessed needs and national strengths and weaknesses;
- work in partnership with regional, national and local organizations to reinforce their capacities to lead and manage processes related to food security;
- seek to ensure sustainability so that the knowledge gained builds upon and remains with partner institutions.
Capacity development activities include:
- undertaking capacity needs assessments with national and regional institutions;
- supporting national and regional priorities and frameworks such as the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP);
- producing guidelines and manuals on a wide variety of food security related topics;
- producing learning materials and delivering learning events to support programme goals and activities;
- holding events to ensure national ownership and build awareness; and
- promoting and facilitating dialogue, both on- and off-line, among various people working in food security related fields.