Important Tools and Interventions for Capacity Building
There are a number of tools and interventions of capacity building to enhance capacity for Social Accountability. Robust capacity building modules and strategies generally use a mixture of these tools for best results. Capacity building interventions also are taken up on a continuous basis to enable regular learning and inclusion. Some the widely used tools for capacity building include:
Traditional Training: This is a traditional classroom based approach undertaken based on a training schedule implemented over a few days to a week. Classroom training contains a series of concurrent training modules in a common venue.
Mentoring and Coaching: This tool includes on-site and off-site mentoring and coaching with the help of knowledge and skills gained through implementing various social accountability projects and programmes. It also includes on-job training and mentoring to those implementing projects on social accountability.
Change Management: Change Management programmes have been used best to build the capacities of the service providers and the supply side stakeholders. This tool focuses on bringing attitudinal changes and acceptance to new tools and techniques.
Toolkits and Manuals: This includes capacity building through readymade material on social accountability like tools, handbooks, guides and manuals. Such tools can be contextualized to a specific social accountability tool and its possible application to a specific sector for better usage.
Workshops and Meetings: Workshops and meetings are also important tools for capacity enhancement. They provide a platform for discussion, dissemination and exchange of ideas.
ICT & e-tools: Training and capacity building can also be taken up by developing specific e-tools for impact training on social accountability. ICT can also be used to provide technical and knowledge assistance with the help of the internet.
Audio Visual Aids: A number of audio visual aids on social accountability can be developed for improving the capacity of the stakeholders. These tools have an immediate impact and can help in building the capacities of those who cannot read and write, especially found more among the beneficiaries and community at large.
Exposure Visits: This tool primarily involves organising exposure visits and study tours for various stakeholders in batches or groups to locations where Social Accountability practice of a particular tool or process is well developed.
Scholarship Programmes: This tool includes developing scholarship programmes on social accountability to specific target groups to expose them to social accountability. It can be best used by the civil society. Such programmes are characterized by intensive training and skill building for selected leaders and individuals from CSOs who have the potential for long-term involvement in a particular area of Social Accountability practice and have the capacity to adapt and tailor fit the learning to realities.