When The Going Gets Tough, Start Capacity Building

Capacity Building isn’t a new topic; it’s been around at least since the early 1990’s or before. The concept has been quietly gaining subscribers, in 3rd world organizations who fight illiteracy, poverty and political unrest;  to low-income rural school districts desperate to find a way to educate their children; to non-profits, political organizers, and now, to urban revitalizers who really believe in their cause. What’s the deal?

Here’s the nashualady take:

When there is accessible money and the problem is “doable,” we pull out the wallet and pay to get work done. When money is tight but the problem still needs addressing, we adjust our budget where possible and look for streamlining or technology improvements. When the money is gone, the problem gets worse, and all the technology tricks are exhausted, Capacity Building is what those who must succeed turn to.

So, what IS Capacity Building? This concept says that, whatever organization we’re in, we need to REALLY develop all the resources available to us, all the partnerships that can be useful, and all the sustainable techniques that apply. Then, we need to work with these resources so we understand them, and they understand us, and we come together, at least on a particular issue, as a community.

The Visioning Workbook from Cornell notes that when a community succeeds in building capacity, specific outcomes will be noted:

*Many local people are participating on a variety of community committees and the visible level of activities (events occurring, goals achieved, etc.) is high.
* The webs of relationships within the community are strengthened. Different segments are seen interacting. There is a loss of the too evident “victim mentality.” Letters to the editor use the words “we will” rather than “if someone would.”
* There is a visible increase in community initiative, responsibility and adaptabiity. Organizations can find common ground in conflicts.
* Leadership in local sustainability is noted at the state and local level.
* The economy is diverse and healthy, with businesses and organizations frequently cooperating, the level of technology use is high, and initiative and entrepreneurship is newsworthy.

Sounds like a good place to go,  don't you think?

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