Capacity Building

Capacity building has many different definitions and interpretations. Capacity is "the actual knowledge, skill sets, participation, leadership and resources required by community groups to effectively address local issues and concerns". By building capacity through the development of skills and the strengthening of resources, the sustainability and effectiveness of an organization and its partners are increased.

Key principles for capacity building are rooted in a community-based foundation and include:

• Trust and relationship building

• Adaptability and flexibility

• Inclusivity of local context

• Collaboration and partnership

Collaboration and partnerships are an essential element of capacity building and it is through a “bottom-up” or grassroots, community-based approach that building capacity can:

• Build sound infrastructures

• Maintain and sustain programs

• Solve ongoing problems

• Contribute to efficiency and effectiveness1

Resource:

1. Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse. (2002). Capacity Building for Health Promotion:More Than Bricks and Mortar. OPC, Spring. Toronto, Canada. Pg. 1-4.

As discussed in the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Community Capacity Building Tool, there are nine specific features, which describe community capacity:

1. Participation

2. Leadership

3. Community structures

4. Role of external support (for example, a funding agency)

5. Asking why

6. Obtaining resources

7. Skills, knowledge, and learning

8. Linking with others

9. Sense of community

Resource:

1. Public Health Agency of Canada. (2007). Community Capacity Building Tool: A tool for planning, building and reflecting on community capacity in community based health projects. PHAC, Alberta/NWT Region.

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