Capacity development in fragile situations A Global Perspective Pilar Domingo Overseas Development Institute

Outline Challenges of fragility Dilemmas and priorities of capacity development (CD) in fragile situations: working out the ‘how’, ‘who’ and ‘where’ of CD Objectives of CD in fragile situations

Challenges of ‘fragility’ for capacity development Heightened levels of mistrust and/or conflict Polarised and ‘unhelpful’ elites, and atomised societies  fractured social cohesion Hybrid political orders, and an imbalance between formal and informal institutions

Where to start: The ‘how’ of CD Prioritising do no harm Prioritising local ownership Context is everything (understand the politics, and the drivers of fragility) Accept complexity and unpredictability as a constant ‘Managing’ (if not resolving) dilemmas

‘Who’ to work with: the importance of agency Working with leadership at multiple levels (state, non-state and community level) Supporting multi-stakeholder alliances for change

‘Where’ - priority areas for CD in fragile situations Restoring basic services: security, rule of law, PFM, basic services Identifying and enhancing ‘demand-led’ opportunities for voice, accountability and governance Building on existing capacities – however small Facilitating dialogue and negotiation skills Building and sharing south-south knowledge

Capacity development in fragile situations for what? Building capacities that reduce fragility Unleashing the potential for change Altering mindsets and behavior Reshaping power and public authority Enhancing ‘intangible’ outcomes (around legitimacy, voice, accountability and resilient state society relations)