Making Cents :: Services :: Capacity Building

Capacity Building

SERVICES

We strengthen the technical and operational capacity of local organizations around the world to help them support smallholder farmers, business owners, youth, women, and refugees more effectively. As a result, these local organizations – NGOs, business service providers, banks and microfinance institutions, TVETs and other training providers, governments, and agricultural extension services – are able to deliver better products and services, and the individuals they serve are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to become successful entrepreneurs, employees, and community leaders.

We apply human-centered design principles to develop a capacity-building process shown below. This customized process builds critically needed knowledge and skills, improves livelihoods and systems, and produces and sustains positive development outcomes.

Our capacity-building activities fall under two broad categories:

Training. We develop or adapt innovative, evidence-based trainings that fill skill and knowledge gaps, meet identified needs, and systematically build local training and curriculum development capacity. The trainings include hands-on experience, coaching, and mentorships and internships for trainees, along with a cascading delivery system – training of trainers (TOT) and coaching of coaches (COC) – on the specific curriculum and on facilitation skills. Simulations, structured discussions, and participatory exercises engage learners and provide safe spaces for practicing skills. Our training solution includes material design, workshop design and facilitation, administrative and logistical support, and dissemination of training content. After every session, we conduct an evaluation to gather participant feedback and use this information to improve training style, content, and delivery. Throughout this process, we build the capacity of local partners to develop, adapt, and deliver curricula that address the changing needs and priorities of their target beneficiaries.

Technical assistance. We work with local partners to develop specialized technical assistance packages they need to overcome identified constraints, improve organizational efficiencies, strengthen systems and the quality and delivery of services and products, and sustain progress. Our services typically include follow-up support on training, conducting assessments or research, and developing strategic plans.