What does 'capacity building' refer to in development?

Capacity building refers to the process of enhancing the skills, knowledge, and resources of individuals or organizations to improve their effectiveness and sustainability in a given context, particularly in development settings. This concept is fundamental in promoting self-reliance among communities and organizations, allowing them to better address their own needs and challenges.

By focusing on developing skills, knowledge, and resources, capacity building enables individuals and organizations to improve their capabilities, adapt to changing environments, and effectively achieve their goals. This approach is essential for fostering resilience and long-term development, as it empowers people and institutions to manage resources effectively, implement initiatives, and solve problems independently over time.

In contrast, the other options reflect approaches that do not contribute to the overarching goals of development and empowerment. For instance, weakening skills and knowledge contradicts the very essence of capacity building, while limiting organizational effectiveness hinders progress. Similarly, focusing solely on financial growth overlooks the holistic approach needed to enhance community well-being and capacity. Hence, developing skills, knowledge, and resources effectively captures the true objective of capacity building within the development sector.