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Publication year
Technical assistance: a practical account of the challenges in design and implementation
Resource type
Authors/contributors
- Nastase, Alexandra (Author)
- Rajan, Alok (Author)
- French, Ben (Author)
- Bhattacharya, Debarshi (Author)
Title
Technical assistance: a practical account of the challenges in design and implementation
Abstract
Technical assistance is provided to country governments as part of international development programmes to support policymaking or strengthen state capability. This article presents the conceptual evolution of ‘technical assistance’ linked to capacity development, starting with programmes aiming exclusively to enhance individual capacity in the 1950s to 1970s and progressing to complex systems approaches in the past ten years. It also presents some of the frequent challenges in designing and implementing technical assistance, drawing from the existing literature and the authors’ experience in international development. The article summarises the latest thinking about delivering more effective development, including the adaptive management practices and the initiatives to strengthen evidence about what works. Finally, we complement this article with a follow-up open letter reflecting on the current policy options and opportunities for change.
Publication
Gates Open Research
Volume
4
Pages
177
Date
2021-11-19
Journal Abbr
Gates Open Res
ISSN
2572-4754
Short Title
Technical assistance
Accessed
20/10/2023, 12:16
Library Catalogue
PubMed Central
Extra
PMID: 35299599
PMCID: PMC8920999
Citation
Nastase, A., Rajan, A., French, B., & Bhattacharya, D. (2021). Technical assistance: a practical account of the challenges in design and implementation. Gates Open Research, 4, 177. https://doi.org/10.12688/gatesopenres.13205.2
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