the challenge of capacity building & institutional sustainability the mission of the nature...
DESCRIPTION
The Past Two Decades Partnership with local civil society organizations (CSO) for achieving sustainable protected area systems with local support. Up to now, our strategy combines needs-assessment, research, strategic financing, technical assistance, training, publications, and more recently distance education and learning via the Internet. Network of stronger organizations. 140 organizations in 30 countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Local organizations still facing challenges, as well as, new partners. We develop innovative partnerships to meet the always increasing demand for training services.TRANSCRIPT
The Challenge of Capacity Building & Institutional
Sustainability
The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting
the lands and waters they need to survive.
The Institutional Self Assessment:
A Catalytic Tool for the Strengthening of
Conservation Organizations
The Past Two Decades
• Partnership with local civil society organizations (CSO) for achieving sustainable protected area systems with local support.
• Up to now, our strategy combines needs-assessment, research, strategic financing, technical assistance, training, publications, and more recently distance education and learning via the Internet.
• Network of stronger organizations. 140 organizations in 30 countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific.
• Local organizations still facing challenges, as well as, new partners.
• We develop innovative partnerships to meet the always increasing demand for training services.
The Nature Conservancy has used it’s strategy and years of on-the-ground experience with local practitioners to identify strategic
action areas for capacity building:
• Build the institutional capacity of partner organizations• Strengthen the individual skills of local conservation leaders• Promote in-country training capacity• Disseminate knowledge and experience gained by the
Conservancy and partners• Identify and pioneer learning in key thematic areas for
organizational sustainability
Action Areas for Capacity Building
Enabling legal & socioeconomic environment
Ability to promote and adapt to development
and change
Mission, Vision and Strategic Planning
Strong Leadership
Administrative & Managerial Structure and systems
Qualified, committed and competitive staff
Effective Resource Development
Effective Financial Management
Constituency Building / Outreach / Strategic Alliances
Effective programs & projects
The Fortaleza Learning Alliance
(Web-based ID resources)
Social Leaders: Organizational Management and Conservation
Planning Program(Distance education)
Organizational Sustainability
Thematic Areas for Organizational Sustainability
Institutional Assessment
The Institutional Assessment Cycle
Institutional agreement and terms of reference
for the IA
Revision of work and planning
documents
Interviews with Board members,
managers and staff
Interviews with partner organizations
Application of TNC Self-Assessment Tool
Discussion workshops about the findings and conclusions
Institutional Strengthening
Plan
• Developed internal consensus and motivated staff to take action on institutional change at different organizational levels
• Promoted institutional transparency and strengthened inter-institutional dialogue.
• Facilitated access to funding by reassuring donors of an institutional commitment to development and improvement.
Three Good reasons for Carrying Out an Institutional Assessment