Building Capacity in Post-Conflict Countries

Objective: Lift the ability to manage reconstruction after conflict and given post-conflict conditions, to meet concerned geographies development needs.

Rationale: The characteristics of post-conflict geographies require that capacity be put in place quickly to meet the expectations of the population for improved living conditions. The international community is also likely to expect quick results, particularly if the consequences of renewed conflict spread beyond the country’s borders. Given the risks of conflict re-emerging and the high expectations inside and outside the geography for results on the ground, one of the challenges for post-conflict authorities is to grow the ability of the geography to absorb aid productively when donor resources are most likely to be available. Since the greatest constraints to implementing programs are institutional—human capacity and organization—strengthening institutions will not only provide the usual long-term benefits from aid, but will also enable the country to use aid effectively when it is most available and to mitigate risks from unfulfilled expectations.

Implementation: New capacity needs to be built on what already exists. Capacity building is an enormous challenge, a challenge that requires imagination, cooperation and hard work to improve the conditions of conflict-affected countries. The Foundation is committed to making its contribution to this regard.