Goals
To compile and assess capacity development needs
To develop a strategy to meet identified needs and action plans for
the GEF
Objectives
Preparation of a comprehensive approach of countries' capacity
building needs to meet the challenges of global environmental
action.
Main outcomes
The CDI produced nine reports (available on the GEF website:
http://www.gefweb.org),
including:
* Four reports on regional assessments for Africa, Asia/Pacific,
East Europe and Central Asia, and Latin America and the
Caribbean
* An assessment of the special needs of SIDS
* An assessment of scientific and technical capacity building
needs
* An analysis of capacity building through acitivities regular GEF
projects
* A study of the capacity building efforts of other multilateral
and bilateral institutions, and
* A compilation of decisions of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (FCCC), the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD), and the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD)
concerning capacity development).
Lessons learned
Lessons learned from the international development cooperation
community as to the conditions necessary for effective capacity
development interventions (see:
http://www.gefweb.org/Documents/Enabling_Activity_Projects/CDI/CD_Efforts.pdf):
1) A high degree of political commitment and leadership in support
of capacity development, consistently sustained over time is
critical.
2) A well-structured assessment of capacity needs and priorities by
local experts is necessary. It is useful for both donors and
recipient countries.
3) Facilitating ownership right from the start is critical for
achieving effective and sustainable results.
4) Capacity-building initiatives are often more successful when
they recognize and build on existing strengths, knowledge and
experience within countries.
5) Capacity-building is more effective if the partners constraints
and limitations are well understood and appreciated.
6) It is important to have capacity-building initiatives that are
realistic and down to earth rather than theoretical or idealistic
ones.
7) A clear definition and division of roles and responsibilities is
important.
8) Accountability of all parties and transparency in the planning
and decision-making processes can contribute significant to the
success.
9) An iterative approach, which relies on effective monitoring,
continuous feedback and adjustment to new evolving realities,
enhances chances of success.