Duration: The course consists of four lessons, each of them lasting approximately 20 to 30 minutes, for a total of about 1 hour and 45 minutes of self-paced learning.

Overview: The course is an introduction to basic Capacity Development principles.

Target audience: The introductory course is designed for FAO staff and consultants, at all levels, who prepare, implement, manage and evaluate capacity development interventions in member countries.

Content: The course looks at the new approach to capacity development promoted in the Corporate Strategy on Capacity Development. It offers a clear understanding of the core aspects of capacity development, in order to better anchor it in FAO’s practices.

In particular, the course illustrates:

• the evolving role of capacity development in general, and in the context of FAO’s work;
• the challenges and success factors that are key for developing the capacities in member countries;
• the guiding principles for capacity development and FAO’s Capacity Development Framework;
• the roles and competencies for staff working on capacity development programmes.

The course includes numerous examples of FAO good practices and of applying FAO’s Capacity Development Framework to field programmes and projects.