Aid projects have a greater impact when led by local actors. By strengthening the capacity of the institutions it partners with, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) helps them expand their influence, reach and impact. Capacity strengthening also improves project sustainability and helps local institutions reach their goal of designing, winning, and successfully implementing aid projects without management by an international agency.

All organizations strengthen their skills and systems on an ongoing basis. To work with local actors in that effort, CRS implements activities in capacity strengthening, which it defines as a deliberate process that improves the ability of an individual, group, organization, network or system to enhance or develop the knowledge, skills, abilities, systems and structures needed to function effectively, work toward sustainability and achieve goals.

This document details how CRS strengthens institutions to support local leadership.