The papers in this series summarize a landscape analysis conducted by USAID to better understand how existing evidence can contribute to addressing the SRLA learning questions. Initiated during the developmental stages of the SRLA, the aim of this landscape analysis was to conduct an extemporaneous and iterative examination of how concepts related to selfreliance are discussed in existing international development literature. Learn more about the Paper Series on Capacity and Capacity Strengthening here.

The literature reviewed for Inquiry 1 demonstrates a lack of conceptual clarity around key terms, including “capacity” and “capacity strengthening.” As a consequence, fundamental assumptions about how capacity should be assessed, by whom, and for what purposes often remain implicit and unquestioned. Notably, the literature examined by this landscape analysis most often discussed capacity at the level of organizations, and occasionally individual actors.