View source for Capacity Building - Threshold Concept

[[File:Capacity photo.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Building Local Capacity to Construct Safe Low Cost Latrines. Photo credit: coming soon]]Capacity building includes a broad definition as a holistic enterprise, encompassing a multitude of activities. It means building abilities, relationships and values that will enable organisations, groups and individuals to improve their performance and achieve their development objectives. It includes strengthening the processes, systems and rules that influence collective and individual behaviour and performance in all development endeavours. It means enhancing people’s technical ability and willingness to play new developmental roles and adapt to new demands and situations. Capacity building is not only constrained to officials and technicians but must also include the general awareness of the local population regarding their services and development in general.
<div><br/></div><div><div>Capacity building is needed at different levels for the different actors, improving performance and coordination between them. Of the many frameworks out there, a few key elements of capacity building are identified here :</div><div><br/></div>
*'''Human resource development:''' enhancing knowledge, skills and capacities of individuals in technical, personal and managerial areas.
*'''Organisational development:''' improving organisational performance, management, systems and governance in order to build effective, efficient and accountable institutions.
*'''Institutional development:''' strengthening interrelationships between stakeholders, strengthening cooperation and coordination, clarifying tasks, roles and terms of interaction.
*'''Economic factors and support infrastructure: '''Revenue flow to cover the recurring cost of maintenance, operating expenses, salaries and the repayment of loans if applicable. Support infrastructure consisting of such things as office accommodation, transport, communications, electricity, or copying facilities.<br/><br/>

The capacity required for sustainability is determined not only by the level of service chosen by the community but more importantly by the technology choice made to provide that level of service. For example, if a community chooses a household connection level of service this could be achieved through a number of alternative technology options. The service could be provided by developing boreholes or by the construction of a gravity fed system or through purchasing water from a regional scheme. Each of these technology options would provide the same level of service to the community but each would require different skills and "capacities" in the community or local government.