Reviewing the impact of capacity building in GFDRR

This study assesses the effectiveness of capacity building across the GFDRR portfolio. The report evaluated projects active in fiscal years 2014 and 2015, focusing on human capacity building – developing and sharing knowledge and skills, as well as consensus and network building. This study is composed of a stocktaking exercise and the development of in-depth case studies. This approach offers a baseline methodology to more strategically capture the role of capacity building in GFDRR, and more broadly, DRM operations.

This report is aimed at a two-fold audience:

• The World Bank and GFDRR, to encourage better planning and strategic thinking about the value of capacity building;
• GFDRR’s Consultative Group and DRM community more generally, to highlight the critical role of capacity building in enhancing the effectiveness of operations.

At an operational level, three key questions underline the study and frame its recommendations:

• Planning: How can capacity building be effectively planned?
• Management: How can the impact of capacity building be identified and managed?
• Sustainability: How can capacity-building activities be designed to have a lasting impact?

After a summary of the analysis underpinning the report, these three questions are answered with operational recommendations. The report advocates for the second of the three proposed scenarios. The study shows that the current status quo already is effective and capable of adding important value to GFDRR funded activities. The authors, nevertheless, suggest small additional steps for GFDRR to become more strategic about capacity building.