Capacity is about growth: growth of the individual in knowledge, skills and experience. Growth of the group that surrounds this individual as these skills and knowledge are passed on. And from this individual and group, growth of a society and nation.
Capacity development is about supporting growth – within individuals, groups and across societies as a whole. Within SAHU our mission is To promote comprehensive adolescent health, growth and development in Uganda through knowledge dissemination, research, advocacy and affiliation with other societies and bodies involved in adolescent health. We are always guided in our support by what we have learned in practice about capacity development.
From the development community worldwide agreement is emerging that capacity cannot be separated from sustainable human development: capacity is development. There is also growing understanding that capacity must be viewed from three distinct but related perspectives:
Individual: the skills and knowledge vested in individuals, communities and groups.
Organizational: the internal policies, systems and strategies that enable an organization to operate and to achieve its goals.
Enabling environment: the wider society within which individuals and organizations function.