The Challenge of Capacity Building & Institutional Sustainability The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.

The Institutional Self Assessment: A Catalytic Tool for the Strengthening of Conservation Organizations

The Past Two Decades Partnership with local civil society organizations (CSO) for achieving sustainable protected area systems with local support. Up to now, our strategy combines needs-assessment, research, strategic financing, technical assistance, training, publications, and more recently distance education and learning via the Internet. Network of stronger organizations. 140 organizations in 30 countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Local organizations still facing challenges, as well as, new partners. We develop innovative partnerships to meet the always increasing demand for training services.

The Nature Conservancy has used it’s strategy and years of on- the-ground experience with local practitioners to identify strategic action areas for capacity building: Build the institutional capacity of partner organizations Strengthen the individual skills of local conservation leaders Promote in-country training capacity Disseminate knowledge and experience gained by the Conservancy and partners Identify and pioneer learning in key thematic areas for organizational sustainability Action Areas for Capacity Building

Enabling legal & socioeconomic environment Ability to promote and adapt to development and change Mission, Vision and Strategic Planning Strong Leadership Administrative & Managerial Structure and systems Qualified, committed and competitive staff Effective Resource Development Effective Financial Management Constituency Building / Outreach / Strategic Alliances Effective programs & projects The Fortaleza Learning Alliance (Web-based ID resources) Social Leaders: Organizational Management and Conservation Planning Program (Distance education) Organizational Sustainability Thematic Areas for Organizational Sustainability Institutional Assessment

The Institutional Assessment Cycle Institutional agreement and terms of reference for the IA Revision of work and planning documents Interviews with Board members, managers and staff Interviews with partner organizations Application of TNC Self-Assessment Tool Discussion workshops about the findings and conclusions Institutional Strengthening Plan

Developed internal consensus and motivated staff to take action on institutional change at different organizational levels Promoted institutional transparency and strengthened inter- institutional dialogue. Facilitated access to funding by reassuring donors of an institutional commitment to development and improvement. Three Good reasons for Carrying Out an Institutional Assessment