Capacity development: Taking a targeted approach

This working paper outlines the Climate and Development Knowledge Network's (CDKN) approach to 'capability development' as a means to bridge the gap between climate ambitions and implementation. It distinguishes capability (the ability and willingness to act) from capacity (resources and scale) and identifies four key capability types: technical, relational, strategic, and institutional. The document details a seven-step iterative process for building these capabilities and provides case studies from Rwanda and Madhya Pradesh, India, to illustrate the application of this approach in real-world contexts.

• CDKN distinguishes between 'capacity' and 'capability', defining capacity as including resources, volume, replicability, and scale (how much can be done), while capability refers to how well it is done. CDKN focuses specifically on capability development, which it defines as the "ability to apply tools, skills and knowledge effectively and willingness to act, including leadership, ownership and agency".
• CDKN identifies four essential types of capabilities required for effective action in complex environments: Technical capability (the ability to identify knowledge needs and use data for decision-making), Relational capability (the ability to forge diverse partnerships and co-create shared agendas), Strategic capability (the ability to see interconnections and influence strategic direction), and Institutional capability (the ability to integrate capability into organisational structures and culture).
• In Rwanda, CDKN provided demand-led technical support to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MINIRENA), which led to the ministry achieving Adaptation Fund and Green Climate Fund accreditation in 2015. This process included the development of a green growth and climate resilience strategy and the design of the 'Green Fund' (FONERWA), which received £22.5 million in capitalization from the UK Department for International Development in 2013.
• In the state of Madhya Pradesh, India, CDKN addressed low awareness and commitment among civil servants by working with the state government to produce sector-specific policy briefs and the Madhya Pradesh Climate Change Knowledge Portal to support the delivery of the State Climate Change Action Plan.
• CDKN proposes a seven-step guiding approach to capability development: 1) Understanding the wider country system context; 2) Collaboratively setting a co-owned change agenda; 3) Self-assessing capability priorities; 4) Engaging relevant stakeholders in dialogue; 5) Taking early action and learning; 6) Using non-linear, iterative, and adaptive programming; and 7) Recognizing that capability development is a long-term process.

APA

Nier, J., Phillips, R., & Cook, R. (2017). Capacity development: Taking a targeted approach. Climate and Development Knowledge Network. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Capacity-development-Working-Paper-WEB.pdf

Chicago

Nier, Juliane, Rachel Phillips, and Russell Cook. Capacity development: Taking a targeted approach. Climate and Development Knowledge Network, 2017. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Capacity-development-Working-Paper-WEB.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Nier |first1=Juliane |last2=Phillips |first2=Rachel |last3=Cook |first3=Russell |title=Capacity development: Taking a targeted approach |publisher=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |date=July 2017 |url=https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Capacity-development-Working-Paper-WEB.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{nier2017capacity, author = {Nier, Juliane and Phillips, Rachel and Cook, Russell}, title = {{Capacity development: Taking a targeted approach}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2017}, month = jul, url = {https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Capacity-development-Working-Paper-WEB.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }