Executive Summary Capacity Development for Research: Strategic Evaluation Cross-Case Study Analysis

IDRC is mandated to “to initiate, encourage, support and conduct research into the problems of developing regions of the world and into the means for applying and adapting scientific, technical and other knowledge to the economic and social advancement of those regions ” (IDRC Act 1970). As part of this mandate, IDRC seeks “to assist the developing regions to build up the research capabilities, the innovative skills and the institutions required to solve problems ” (ibid). Since capacity development constitutes a fundamental aspect of all IDRC work, IDRC’s Evaluation Unit is conducting a strategic evaluation to investigate the Centre’s contributions to the development of capacities of partners with whom the Centre works. The evaluation aims to provide IDRC’s own staff and managers with an intellectual framework and common language to help harness the concept and document the experiences and results that the Centre has accumulated in this domain. Specifically, the strategic evaluation focuses on the intentions, processes and results of IDRC support for the development of capacities of its southern partners – what capacities have been enhanced, whose, how, and how effectively. Phase 4 or the strategic evaluation focuses on the elaboration of six organizational case studies undertaken with partner institutions. The six case studies selected by IDRC’s Evaluation Unit include