This 49-page report by Isabel Vogel offers a synthesis of the discussions at a workshop held by the UK Collaborative on Development Sciences (UKCDS) on research capacity strengthening. The workshop aimed to share case studies, models and lessons learnt from research capacity strengthening initiatives in developing countries.

Research capacity strengthening (also known as capacity building) is a country’s ability to produce, debate and use research knowledge and products that are relevant to their needs. 

There are many approaches and interventions that development agencies, funders and academics can apply to build capacity. We can also identify three levels at which capacity can be strengthened: individual, organisational, and environmental. 

Supporting individual capacity is crucial for conducting high quality research, and training the next generations of researchers in developing countries. Here are some of the key lessons in supporting individual capacity according to the report:

• We need to understand country-specific context, as well as capacity and constraints.
• Programme managers must be flexible in the face of volatile political, social and environmental contexts.
• Projects should build on existing capacity, and facilitate local ownership where possible.

In the next level, there is organisational capacity. This means strengthening local research institutions, and the infrastructure and architecture that individual researchers depend on. Unfortunately, decades of under-investment in research institutions has harmed organisational capacity in many developing countries.

Finally, it is important to strengthen environmental capacity. Without looking at the research system as a whole, it is very difficult to build the capacity to produce research. As such, it is vital to increase the capacities amongst government bodies and CSOs through funding mechanisms, regulation and policy for research.  This is all about creating a sustainable and enabling environment to encourage the exchange of research-based knowledge between researchers, policymakers and the private sector.

As well as all this, the report looks into three major concerns that affect capacity-building activities across all three levels: coordination, building southern-led initiatives, and sustainability.

To sum up, this report shares some very important lessons about building research capacity in developing countries. It should be stressed that the effectiveness of any of the models or mechanisms is highly context dependent.