Professor Helen Hambly-Odame and Winifredo B. Dagli of the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development of the University of Guelph discuss capacity development and the levels of change at which it operates in their paper titled "Why Capacity Development?"
The authors also feature three case stories on capacity development in rural communication and development. In particular, the article presents the following cases: "Piloting and Up-Scaling Effective Models of Inclusive and Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development" in the Philippines; "Jumpstarting Oramge-Fleshed Sweet Potato in West Africa through Diversified Markets" in Ghana, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso; and "Eat Local, Taste Global: ECV (Ethno-Cultural Vegetables) Ontario" in Canada.
Below is an excerpt from the article:
What is Capacity Development?
Compared with other similar approaches to development, CD takes a systemic approach in designing dynamic and progressive interactions among individuals, organizations, and networks of actors that allow them to better adapt to change in a sustainable basis. Drawing from various academic disciplines, CD takes many forms in fields of practice, often complementing and reinforcing one another...
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Photo credit: SEAMEO SEARCA