A Capacity Framework:
6 Points of Comparison
Tara Lyons and Bill Reimer
[email protected]
2005/10/12
1
Outline
1) NRE Capacity Framework
2) Comparison based on 6 features:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Capacity as a process?
Outcomes
How is capacity measured?
Endogamous vs. exogenous
Levels of analysis
Capacity as positive?
2
How can rural Canada
(re)vitalize?
• Identify the conditions that have
contributed to devitalization
• Organize assets and resources to do
the things considered important
This ability to organize is:
Capacity
Capacity transforms assets into valued outcomes
3
ASSETS and
LIABILITIES
•Economic Capital
•Human Skills and
Abilities
•Social Capital
•Natural
Resources
PROCESSES
Bureaucratic
Market Communal
Associative
OUTCOMES
•Economic wealth
•Social and
political inclusion
•Social Cohesion
•Environmental
security
•Social and selfworth
•Health
•Personal
Security
outcomes can become new assets and liabilities
4
Capacity as Process
• 2 understandings in literature
• We incorporate the two
 Capacity is a dynamic process, not static
 Identification of assets
• Example of NGO from site
 Initial concerns transformed over time
 Effectiveness varies with time
5
Capacity for What?
• Outcomes diverse in literature
• We identify potential outcomes
• Imperative to consider contexts
 Outcomes subjective
 Valued outcomes change over time
6
Potential or Actualized?
• Capacity as potential
 It may not be actualized
 If it is not acted upon, it remains potential
• Use of indirect measures of capacity
 Focus on conditions that have facilitated or
impeded outcomes in the past to assess current
and future levels
7
Endogamous or Exogenous?
• Most acknowledge internal & external factors
• Focus on conditions that support & constrain
capacity within & outside communities
• High capacity communities know how to use
both
8
Capacity for Whom?
• Community usually the only level considered
• Yet, events have different meanings at
different levels
 We include individual, group, community,
regional, national levels
• ATV example
 Not successful for everyone
 Depends on level of analysis (i.e., group, regional)
9
Positive or Negative?
• Capacity is not inherently positive
• How is positive defined? Positive for whom?
• Overlooking negative impacts of capacity
 Ignoring conflicts, tensions
 Valuable information
10
ASSETS and
LIABILITIES
•Economic Capital
•Human Skills and
Abilities
•Social Capital
•Natural
Resources
PROCESSES
Bureaucratic
Market Communal
Associative
OUTCOMES
•Economic wealth
•Social and
political inclusion
•Social Cohesion
•Environmental
security
•Social and selfworth
•Health
•Personal
Security
outcomes can become new assets and liabilities
11
A Capacity Framework:
6 points of comparison
Tara Lyons and Bill Reimer
nre.concordia.ca
www.crrf.ca
2005/10/12
12