Capacity building to support knowledge systems for resilient development — approaches, actions, and needs

Sustained action by society to support timely and effective actions to deal with global environmental changes must be underpinned by systems of knowledge generation and exchange that are capable of engaging a wide range of decision makers. Building more robust knowledge systems to support resilient development requires significant and well-targeted investments in education and training that bolster scientific capacities, and in communication approaches that foster better interaction of scientists with practitioner and policy communities. Reflecting on nearly two decades of capacity building experience of START and its partner institutions, we review the key principles that should underlie long-term capacity building efforts. We note that investments in capacity building are in themselves an effective adaptation response to global change. Strong and well-supported scientific networks are an indispensible component of capacity building, as they are a key source for new knowledge that enables continual and dynamic adaptation practice. We illustrate guiding principles and priority areas for capacity building that promote an integrated and comprehensive approach to capacity building in the context of the emerging Earth System Science Initiative and other programs, such as Integrated Research on Disaster Reduction, Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Security, People and Ecosystem Services, and the Program of Research on Climate Change Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptation.

► We examine the concepts of capacity building and capacity development.
► We propose principals for successful capacity building programs.
► We define the START framework for capacity building and provide examples of related international projects.