Development institutions that deliver learning programs are evolving from providers of one-off trainings into global facilitators that help to shape the development agenda. How do we define these institutions operating at global, national, and regional levels and their roles in transforming the development landscape?
Please contribute to the following definitions of concepts and terms related to capacity development institutions. See "How to Use this Wiki" for additional information.
| TERM/CONCEPT | DEFINITION | SOURCE | DATE |
Capacity Development Institutions
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Evolving term for the institutions that engage in the management and delivery of knowledge and learning programs for capacity development. Vary in type, size and organizational focus. Some examples of capacity development institutions may include development learning institutions, think tanks, communities of practice and civil society focused organizations. |
Working Group on the Results of Learning for Capacity Building |
November 2009 |
Development
Training Institution |
Also known as "DTI." Long and commonly used term to describe the country and regional institutions that deliver trainings to support capacity development efforts. |
Working Group on the Results of Learning for Capacity Building |
November 2009 |
Development Learning Institution |
Also known as "DLI." Recent term to describe country or regional institutions that provide training and other learning to support capacity development. These institutes often have specific focus areas including: public administration, management, finance, health, water/sanitation, legal/justice, education, urban planning, journalism, and peacekeeping. DLIs are transforming beyond a sole focus on training to become more strategic players in development knowledge and learning advancement; hence the term DLI seems more fitting than DTI to assert these organizations' changing roles and vision.
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Working Group on the Results of Learning for Capacity Building |
November 2009 |
Centers of Excellence |
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Learning Hubs
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Research Institutes/Think Tanks
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Organizations focused on research and creating new knowledge; typically these organizations engage in knowledge exchange efforts such as conferences, workshops, and working papers to share insights generated from research. Research institutes are similar to think tanks with the exception that think tanks tend to have a more applied focus to their work.
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Working Group on the Results of Learning for Capacity Building |
November 2009 |
Communities of Practice |
An informal group of practitioners that share work-related knowledge and expertise on common development problems while pursuing joint solutions. CoPs contribute to a more informed dialogue with decision- makers, often leading to improved development outcomes. They also facilitate problem-solving among individual members, stimulate learning, promote professional development, address individual questions, and generate the type of knowledge that members need in their daily work.
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November 2009 | |
Civil Society Focused Organization |
Organization focused on the capacity development of civil society; typically provides a range of capacity development services from training to coaching as well as technical assistance. May be grassroots-based or international, regional, or national in scope.
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Working Group on the Results of Learning for Capacity Building |
November 2009 |
University-based Learning Institutes
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University or university-based institute that provides short-term training programs focused on capacity development targeting individuals already in the workforce. Often these programs are part of an executive education or continuing education effort by the university. |
Working Group on the Results of Learning for Capacity Building |
November 2009 |