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. 2021 Nov 19:4:177.
doi: 10.12688/gatesopenres.13205.2. eCollection 2020.

Technical assistance: a practical account of the challenges in design and implementation

Alexandra Nastase  1 , Alok Rajan  1   2 , Ben French  1 , Debarshi Bhattacharya  2
Affiliations

Technical assistance: a practical account of the challenges in design and implementation

Alexandra Nastase et al. Gates Open Res. .

Abstract

Technical assistance is provided to country governments as part of international development programmes to support policymaking or strengthen state capability. This article presents the conceptual evolution of 'technical assistance' linked to capacity development, starting with programmes aiming exclusively to enhance individual capacity in the 1950s to 1970s and progressing to complex systems approaches in the past ten years. It also presents some of the frequent challenges in designing and implementing technical assistance, drawing from the existing literature and the authors' experience in international development. The article summarises the latest thinking about delivering more effective development, including the adaptive management practices and the initiatives to strengthen evidence about what works. Finally, we complement this article with a follow-up open letter reflecting on the current policy options and opportunities for change.

Keywords: capacity development; capacity substitution; capacity supplementation; international development; policy options; state capability; technical assistance.

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Conflict of interest statement

No competing interests were disclosed.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Evolution of technical assistance approaches linked to capacity development.
Each circle represents an area targeted for capacity development activities (individual, organisational and institutional capacity). In the last circle, the lifeline icon pulse shows that the system has a life of its own, and it is not only the sum of all the parts – the individual, organisational and institutional capacity.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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