We recently published a blog post about the importance of capacity-strengthening when working with public-sector institutions. Several of Khulisa’s long-term projects, including the the Measures for Countering Trafficking in Persons (MCTIP) in South Africa study and the Scaling Up Nutrition Learning and Evaluation (SUN LE) project in Zambia, have included a significant focus on capacity-strengthening, and several Khulisa evaluators shared their thoughts and experiences on the topic.
One of the most important points of the blog post is that capacity-strengthening is essential for creating sustainability in the public-sector. A one-time intervention in a struggling program – like an infusion of medical supplies, food, or consultation from outside experts – might have a positive impact in the short term. But long-term sustainability requires real partnership with local institutions, particularly those responsible for policy–setting and implementation.
“Issues of sustainability are very important when we think about capacity-strengthening in the public sector,” said Khulisa evaluator Thembi Mahlangu. “It is important to consider when you are doing capacity-strengthening for government: How is that going to help the government sector? Is it going to add any value to what they are currently doing?”
To learn more about capacity-strengthening and how Khlulisa has implemented it in our long-term projects, read the full blog post.
