Strengthening the technical and functional capacities of individuals, communities and organizations in restoration and sustainable land management is the best way to help communities become self-supporting.

Action Against Desertification helps countries to identify, assess and prioritize their capacity needs by engaging a wide array of stakeholders at local, national, regional and international level. This includes government, civil society, women's and producer organizations, technical organizations, research institutes and local communities.

Action Against Desertification focuses on developing technical skills in practices, such as planting, maintenance and management of restored areas, forest seed collecting and nursery techniques, as well as monitoring the impact of those activities.

Capacity development also covers functional capacities, or "soft skills", that are vital for organisations to ensure the sustainability of efforts. They include knowledge and information sharing, partnership building, communications, participatory processes, advocacy and resource mobilization.