Arctic Institute of Community-Based Research

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Capacity Building

The Arctic Institute of Community-Based Research (AICBR) maintains capacity building as a foundational approach in all aspects of our work.

Capacity building has many different definitions and interpretations. Capacity is "the actual knowledge, skill sets, participation, leadership and resources required by community groups to effectively address local issues and concerns"1. By building capacity through the development of skills and the building of resources, the sustainability and effectiveness of an organization and its partners are increased. Collaboration and partnerships are an essential element of capacity building and it is through a "bottom-up" or grassroots, community-based approach that building capacity can:

  • Build sound infrastructures
  • Maintain and sustain programs
  • Solve ongoing problems
  • Contribute to efficiency and effectiveness1

Other key principles for capacity building are rooted in a community-based foundation (see 'Our Approach' Community-Based Research link) and include:

  • Trust and relationship building
  • Adaptability and flexibility
  • Inclusivity of local context
  • Collaboration and partnership

Building capacity is an integrated process that works on the individual, organization, and community level. By increasing the capacity of one, they help to support and strengthen others1. There are eight positive outcomes from community capacity building, as listed by the Aspen Institute-Community Strategies Group:

  1. Expanded citizen participation
  2. Expanded leadership base
  3. Strengthened individual skills
  4. The creation of a widely shared understanding and vision
  5. The development of a strategic community agenda
  6. Evidence of consistent, tangible progress toward goals
  7. Evidence of more effective community organizations and institutions
  8. Evidence of better resource utilization by the community1

As discussed in the Public Health Agency of Canada's Community Capacity Building Tool, there are nine specific features, which describe community capacity.

  1. Participation
  2. Leadership
  3. Community structures
  4. Role of external support (for example, a funding agency)
  5. Asking why
  6. Obtaining resources
  7. Skills, knowledge, and learning
  8. Linking with others
  9. Sense of community2

An illustration of the Knowledge Translation action cycle.Youth researchers taking notes in Old Crow, Yukon

Selected Projects

Evaluation Training Workshop (2011)

Scholarships (2007-2011)

Journey to the Teaching Training (2009)

Writers' Retreat at Eagles Landing (2008-2009)

Yukon First Nation Health Promotion Fall School (2008)

Yukon First Nation Health Promotion Spring School (2007)

 

Reports and Publications

Prepare for Hard Times: Old Crow Youth Face Climate Change in Yukon's North

The Good the Bad and the Ugly Video

Community Update Community Update (21837 KB)

References

1 Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse. (2002). Capacity Building for Health Promotion: More Than Bricks and Mortar. OPC, Spring. Toronto, Canada. Pg. 1-4.

2 Public Health Agency of Canada. (2007). Community Capacity Building Tool: A tool for planning, building and reflecting on community capacity in community based health projects. PHAC, Alberta/NWT Region.