Peace Structures’ Resources: Capacity Development for Kenya’s Community Social Structures

Capacity Development / Capacity-Building

It takes awareness, that must come from intentional assessment of the current statusquo (social, political, economic, etc.) and the capacity gaps and needs of the different stakeholders/ actors in a community.  Capacity development or the planned capacity-building then focuses on equipping the relevant stakeholders/ actors (be they civil society organisations -CSOs – of any level) with the capacities (knowledge, skills, funding, etc.) they require to address the community needs that need addressing inclusivity, development, gender, poverty-eradication, among a myriad of community needs that the global context is focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Capacity Development / Capacity Building Resources’ Post:

In this post, I share the resources/ training materials for the training topics whose knowledge, skills, expertise and experience I have, and which I have trained hundreds of participants in different communities on. The post is relevant for:

• The hundreds of participants from the different social-statuses and different parts of Kenya (government officials, members of different CSOs and social structures addressing a number of community issues for cohesion-building, etc.) through
• Anyone else who is interested in the diverse content I have shared here

The content (list is further below) ranges from context assessment and analysis of data from community processes to inform relevant development, inclusivity, gender, peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and organizational development among other topics, to planning, budgeting, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting of community engagements.

Capacity Development/ Capacity-Building

The knowledge and skills in this post is aimed at equipping the different stakeholders with the tools they require for meaningful community engagement; maximising on positive benefits while also keeping an eye to minimize negative impacts (that is where conflict sensitivity and other tools such as Do No Harm, and Force Field Analysis come into place.

Capacity Development/ Capacity-Building is a conscious effort that requires the engagement of all relevant stakeholders and inclusivity that ensures even the marginalized groups in any society are present/ represented or considered before, during and after community engagements.

To my worthy Trainees:

Dear participants,

I am Margaret Wambui Njuguna (I indicate my full name since each of you referenced me by the name you felt most comfortable to address me), I have been your trainer for multiple topics over 3 – 5 intense days where we interacted and learnt from each other, engaged with each other in highly participatory formats, had fun during role-plays and interactions during breaks and meal times, and planned together.

Allow me to thank you each and everyone of you in your capacities and roles in your communities for welcoming me to your counties and being my diligent trainees throughout the training. Allow me to acknowledge you  from the different subcounties and locations in the following counties:

• Nyeri
• Nairobi
• Kiambu
• Kitui
• Machakos
• Mombasa
• Kilifi
• Kisumu
• Nandi
• Uasin Gishu
• Nakuru
• Narok

As promised, here are the resources (hover on the topic and click on it to get access to the materials on the topic) or refer to the handouts we shared with you.

• • Context Assessment/ Conflict Analysis
    • Conflict Tree
    • Actors’ / Stakeholders’ Mapping
    • Systemic Analysis
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution (with focus on Mediation)
  • Diversity and it’s role in community processes
  • Participatory Community Processes
  • Conflict Sensitivity and relevant tools
  • Do No harm
  • Gender
  • Understanding Project Cycle: Project Planning, Budgeting, Implementation, Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, adherence to donor/ funder guidelines, inclusivity (gender, diversity, youth, etc…), and focus on sustainability (achieving lasting impact)
  • Personalities and Self-Awareness – Mental Health

Feel free to explore the rest of this website for the rich-in-content posts