Capacity Strengthening

Capacity strengthening is a deliberate process that improves the ability of an individual, group, organization, network or system to enhance or develop new knowledge, skills, attitudes, systems and structures needed to function effectively, work toward sustainability and achieve goals.

Capacity strengthening is more than simply providing information or training. It is a complex set of processes that fosters ongoing knowledge and skills-building across stakeholders at many levels. Capacity strengthening can be carried out at the individual, organizational or systemic level.

Individual-Level Capacity Strengthening

Individual-level capacity strengthening includes training individuals in leadership skills, strategic thinking, supervisory skills, finances, project and performance management skills. Training may also focus on more technical subjects, such as clinical and nonclinical skills, surveillance, monitoring, research and advocacy skills.

This toolkit aims to measurably strengthen individuals’ skills in abortion research and communication of evidence to strategic audiences.​​

Organizational-Level Capacity Strengthening

Organizational-level capacity strengthening is the process of helping organizations achieve their goals by developing resources, systems, structures and the environment needed for optimal performance. 

For example, to implement a new abortion research program, an organization may need additional staff to provide services, additional office space for the new staff, new software or other equipment to support data collection, and funding to pay for these and other assets. In many cases, adding new staff and facilities may not be feasible. Instead, agencies may need to reassign or retrain existing staff, or realign organizational resources to meet the needs of a new program.

Organizations need to assess the strength, adequacy and sustainability of their resources in light of their goals and desired changes, while being mindful of competing demands.

Resources can be broken down into five key areas:

  • Staffing: The right number of people with the capabilities and time to apply desired practices and deliver services. This calls for attention to caseload and workload management and maintaining an adequate workforce.
  • Fiscal resources: Adequate funding to implement and sustain practices and innovation. Consider the availability of funding streams, including awareness of funders, fundraising options and resource-sharing opportunities. Opportunities to blend funding from multiple sources and budget allocations should also be considered.
  • Facilities, equipment and technology: Physical assets that support implementation, such as office space, computer hardware and software.
  • Informational resources and materials: The content (curricula, program guidelines, best-practice information, ethical processes) that guides practice, innovation, research, communications and advocacy, and service delivery.
  • Governance and organizational infrastructure: The organizational structures, processes and systems that institutionalize practices, procedures and rules to ensure their consistent execution, regardless of staff or leadership changes.

Dimensions of organizational governance and infrastructure include:

  • Governance and decision-making structures
  • Administrative structures
  • Policies, operating procedures and protocols
  • Human resources, recruitment and staff selection
  • Training systems
  • Supervisory and coaching systems
  • Service array and service delivery systems
  • Information systems and data supports
  • Evaluation, quality assurance and continuous quality improvement systems
  • Internal and external communication systems

Similar appraisals can be applied to nonhuman assets, such as to explore the adequacy of existing technologies, materials, facilities and other tangible assets.

At the organizational level, this toolkit aims to equip organizations to conduct abortion research and strategic communication activities; conduct successful fundraising; establish strong governance that incorporates capacity building into organizational strategic priorities and operational processes, including staff skills-training; and establish processes for research and ethical conduct.​​

System-Level Capacity Strengthening

At the systems level, this toolkit identifies ways to build capacity for an environment that fosters positive change, including real-time troubleshooting and advice, mentorship and professional development of the abortion research field and hosting a clearinghouse for research and technical guidance.​

Find toolkit Resources on Capacity Strengthening