Drivers for Change – Strengthen Capacity
Equity Framework > Drivers for Change > Strengthen Capacity
Capacity refers to the people, approaches, and resources needed to achieve a goal. All people, organizations, and communities have capacity for equity-based work. This capacity can be further developed and strengthened. Capacity strengthening is a continuous process that includes:
- people who are willing to be involved;
- skills, knowledge and abilities;
- ability to identify and access opportunities;
- motivation and the abilities to carry out initiatives;
- infrastructure, supportive institutions and physical resources;
- leadership and the structures needed for participation
- supportive financial resources; and
- enabling policies and systems
The content of capacity strengthening can focus on a variety of topics depending on need. It may include: organizational culture change, cultural responsiveness, building community partnerships, utilizing anti-racism analyses, understanding structural inequities, continuous quality improvement, and many other topics.
The uptake and impact of capacity strengthening depends on readiness. Readiness is issue-specific and can vary across a group or dimension of a problem. Understanding readiness is a crucial part of doing equity-based work. Once readiness is understood, action can be tailored to what a group is willing to support at a stage of work.
Adapted from:
Frank, F. (1999). The community development handbook: a tool to build community capacity. Ottawa: Human Resources Development Canada. Retrieved from
https://ccednet-rcdec.ca/en/toolbox/community-development-handbook-tool-build-community-capacity
Equity-Centered Capacity Building: Essential Approaches For Excellence & Sustainable School System Transformation. Retrieved from
https://capacitybuildingnetwork.org/article2/
Community Readiness – Community Tool Box. Retrieved from
https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/overview/models-for-community-health-and-development/community-readiness/main
Further Reading / Additional Resources:
- This kit, developed by OCASI, is designed to familiarize readers with the terms, legislations, and basic issues surrounding disability and accommodations. It includes nine personal stories describing experiences of newcomers with disabilities and their families. https://ocasi.org/sites/default/files/accessibility-kit_0.pdf
- Developing a Practice of Equity Minded Indicators – Center for Urban Education Director Estela Mara Bensimon developed twelve indicators to help institutions develop a practice of Equity-Mindedness. https://www.lavc.edu/sites/lavc.edu/files/2022-08/developing-a-practice-of-equity-mindedness-022021.pdf
- Tyler I, Amare H, Hyndman B, Manson H; Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Health equity assessment: facilitators and barriers to application of health equity tools. Toronto, ON: Queen’s Printer for Ontario; 2014 https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/health-equity-barriers.pdf?la=en
Sample Tools:
Anti-Black Racism Analysis Tool for a Radically Equitable COVID-19 Response. This resource has been developed for governments and community organizations that are committed to making their services, planning, practices and programs more responsive to the unique and specific experiences of Black communities.
The Accessibility Initiative (AI) is a national bilingual project that aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of settlement sector professionals so that they are better equipped to serve newcomers with in/visible disabilities. A range of online professional development activities, tools, and resources are available to assist organizations serving newcomers in creating accessible and inclusive spaces for all newcomers.
https://ocasi.org/accessibility
Organizational Capacity Assessment Tool – The Marguerite Casey Foundation
https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/e8872eb0/files/uploaded/M.%20Casey%20Org.%20Capacity%20Assessment%20Tool%20%28paper%20version%29%202.pdf
Community Readiness Model and Assessment – Community Tool Box
https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/overview/models-for-community-health-and-development/community-readiness/main