Learning Curves: Capacity Development Assistance to Lao PDR

Abstract

Capacity development is the process by which individuals, groups, organizations, and countries develop, enhance, and organize their systems, resources, and knowledge—all reflected in their abilities (individually and collectively) to perform functions, solve problems, and set and achieve objectives. Capacity development has been essential to the development agenda of the Lao Peopleʹs Democratic Republic and an important part of assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). It is taking place in the context of limited human resources, a continuously changing organizational landscape, an only slowly reforming public administration, parallel processes of political and administrative decision making, and minimal financial resources for recurrent expenditure. These conditions illustrate the central need for developing capacities, but also constitute parameters that adversely affect the process.