Case study on creating a more inclusive environment through capacity development

A new case study illustrates how capacity development can create a more inclusive environment for citizens—wherein they are empowered to participate in decisions impacting their community—leading to more sustainable development. The case describes how a capacity development intervention eased citizens' participation in the budget process in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the first time, ultimately resulting in more effective public service delivery.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has long suffered from conditions that have prevented the full development of its citizens and communities. In 2009, the government of South Kivu, with the support of the World Bank Institute (WBI), launched a program that uses Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to increase citizen engagement and further decentralization. The program, "ICT4GOV" introduced mobile technology to enhance participatory budgeting processes. Mobile phones are used to invite citizens to budgeting assemblies, for voting, and allowing citizens to send a text to identify priorities they would like to see addressed in their community.

Using WBI’s Capacity Development and Results Framework, the case study analyzes the objectives, change process and results of this capacity development intervention. Communities involved have already seen an increase in transfer of funds from the provincial to the local level, so they now have resources to deliver public services to the poor. For instance, this process has allowed the start of repairing 54 classrooms and a bridge, creating a health center, and repairing a sewage system.

The ICT4GOV case is one of nine that will be featured in the upcoming report, "Strengthening Inclusive Ownership through Capacity Development: Operational Lessons from Nine Case Studies."

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