Capacity 2015

Capacity 2015 will build on the success of Capacity 21 and other innovative capacity development programmes while aiming to develop the capacities needed by developing countries and countries in transition to meet their sustainable development goals under Agenda 21 and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at the local level.

The nations of the world met in Johannesburg in August 2002 for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) and committed themselves to The Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

Through this action plan, governments requested UNDP to strengthen capacity building efforts while building on the experience gained from the Capacity 21 programme. Read more>>

Capacity 2015 Local Results a Global Challenge
What is Capacity 2015?
Why is Capacity 2015 Needed?
What will Capacity 2015 Do?

Capacity 2015 will orient and support a number of key capacity development initiatives, including developing capacities for local sustainable development, sustainable development strategies, local capacity development for Multilateral Environmental Agreements and developing capacities to reduce vulnerability in small island developing states (SIDS).

In addition to Capacity 21, other funds and programmes managed by UNDP have provided unique financial and technical support for grassroots capacity development initiatives focused on communities' sustainable development priorities. These include the Small Grants Programme from the Global Environment Facility, the Africa 2000 network, and Local Initiatives for the Environment (LIFE) . All of these support decentralized initiatives based on transparent, participatory and community driven approaches. Capacity 2015 will build on and expand the scope of these local capacity development success stories.

Operating globally and nationally, Capacity 2015 will help developing and transition countries ensure co-ordination, mutual support and maximum synergies among partners' capacity development efforts. The UNDP and its global partners will continue to use the WSSD outcomes to develop Capacity 2015 and its different areas of activity.

The UNDP is working with partners around the world to seek global endorsement and support for Capacity 2015.

To learn more about Capacity 2015, view the Capacity 2015 brochure (in PDF format), and the Capacity 2015 Information Kit (PDF format).