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Just do it : dealing with the dilemmas in monitoring and evaluating capacity building

JAMES, Rick
November 2009

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This report draws on the author’s practical experience in the field suggesting some pragmatic ways to deal with the dilemmas often faced by organisations when monitoring and evaluating capacity building.  The author suggests starting simple, focusing on what is feasible and doing it [capacity building] in such a way as to reinforce NGO ownership of that capacity building

Praxis Note n°49

Coaching and mentoring for leadership development in civil society

DEANS, Fran
et al
January 2006

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This paper discusses how coaching and mentoring practices are increasingly used as tools within the civil society sector. This is in line with the trend towards ongoing capacity-building processes rather than one-off events, informed by an increasingly people-centred and ‘holistic’ approach to capacity building. The paper examines a range of practitioners’ experiences of using mentoring and coaching with leaders of CSOs in a range of contexts, including Kenya, Tanzania, Kazakhstan, Uganda, Bosnia, South Africa, Malawi and the UK

 

Praxis Paper series No. 4

Capacity building at the grassroots : piloting organisational development of community-based organisations in South Africa

YACHKASCHI, Schirin
December 2005

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"This paper explores the use of organisational development (OD) for capacity building of community-based organisations (CBOs) in South Africa. The author works for Community Connections, a South African non-profit support organisation which predominantly provides support to CBOs and community workers. In 2004, the organisation initiated an OD pilot programme, which has been accompanied by research for a doctoral thesis from this year. The aims of the pilot programme and the research are to examine in what ways OD facilitation can support the capacity building of CBOs, and hence contribute to community development and civil society strengthening. This paper presents initial reflections"

Praxis Note No. 18

Rising to the challenges : assessing the impacts of organisational capacity building

HAILEY, John
JAMES, Rick
WRIGLEY, Rebecca
February 2005

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This paper “offers a brief overview of current thinking and practice in relation to the impact assessment of organisational capacity building interventions. The paper highlights some of the conceptual, methodological and practical challenges (issues of clarity, power and culture, among others) and then goes on to provide an overview of some of the practical approaches that have been adopted by NGOs and CSOs to overcome these challenges.   A ‘thought piece’ designed to engage practitioners (particularly those from developing and transitional countries) in a fruitful debate, it identifies the key challenges towards which INTRAC could most usefully focus its future efforts. These include the need to improve understanding of the particular characteristics of the impact assessment of organisational capacity building and to generate and document innovative, adaptable and accessible approaches. A final challenge is to consider how to raise the profile of impact assessment for organisational capacity building practitioners, so that it is viewed as a vital tool to assist organisational learning, rather than a time-consuming and costly burden”

Praxis Paper n°2

Effective governance : a guide for small and diaspora NGOs

LIPSON, Brenda

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The aim of this guide is to share information, tools and tips that might help small and diaspora organisations strengthen the governance of their organisation.  It provides a toolkit that starts by highlighting the benefits of effective governance, then looks at four key themes: 1) Understanding governance; 2) Key sector references, in the UK voluntary sector, regarding legal obligations, guiding principles, and standards; 3) Managing the board; and 4) The ‘relational’ dynamics - dealing with the human dimension of governance.  The toolkit then provides some practical tips, based on key lessons learnt by small and diaspora NGOs

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