Capacity Building vs implementing activities

1st October 2007

Since September 2007 we are discussing how to deal with organisations who want the ICCO advisors to write the project proposals. What to do? How to deal with this?

Following one of the comments during the D-group discussions.


Capacity building versus implementing activities

You are both struggling with the fact that you want to build capacity by helping the people in your organizations writing their proposals and other documents themselves, but that in practice people want you to write it for them, or put you in that position due to time constraints.

First of all, I think the processes that you are already in, will also contribute to capacity building. You are involving the people in your organizations in your activities. And, as was also noted, by discussing the current procedures, the process of awareness on the undesirableness of this situation at least has started. However, I also agree that the situation is not ideal.

What are the negative aspects of you writing documents for them?
- There’s less capacity building; it will take longer before they will (or will be able to) write the documents themselves.
- It will put your colleagues in a dependent position
- You might not be aware of any important issues that should be included
- …..
What are the positive aspects of you writing documents for them?
- Larger chances for timely submission
- Less working hours put into the process
- Better use of the English language ;-)
- ….

What are the negative aspects of denying to write documents for them and stick to your capacity building approach?
- There might not be the desired output
- Thus e.g. your organization might miss the opportunity for finding funding
- ….
What are the positive aspects of denying to write documents for them and stick to your capacity building approach?
- More capacity building?
- Raise of awareness on responsibility
- They might blame you for it? / Feel it’s inconsiderate?
- ……

What’s best, what’s worse?
I think that might differ in the different situations you encounter and thus different choices might be best.


We will keep you up to date.

Regards,

Simon