The research was conducted by Jabulani M Ncube, Phanda Consulting, Namibia. Jabulani examined the role and efficacy of capacity-building initiatives of disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Mozambique. His report compares and contrasts the different approaches taken by the Northern DPOs and NGOs that are active in disability and development within the country, and sought to identify which have been the most effective, and why.

The process involved two visits to Mozambique in January and March 2005, meeting Northern NGOs with headquarters in Finland and the UK, and local offices in Mozambique. Northern DPOs based in Finland and the UK were also sent questionnaires. A one-day workshop was held with 16 leaders from eight DPOs, at which the key research questions were discussed.

The key findings and conclusions show that Mozambique DPOs are very clear about what they want from capacity building. As the author says, they understand capacity building as creating "legs with which to walk". The DPOs view capacity development as being a process that increases their skills to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate their work. Any technical support should be accompanied with the resourcing of their organisations, financially and in terms of human resources.

It was felt that some Northern NGOs concentrate their limited support on technical inputs, such as training, without consideration of how an organisation is able to implement what they have learned. Although when Northern NGOs recognise and address this issue with a more balanced form of support, this was highly appreciated by DPOs.

The Mozambican DPOs also appreciated Northern NGOs who treated their Southern counterparts as equals, and the shared values of the disability movement contributed to this more equal relationship.

However, there were feelings that Southern NGOs were sometimes seen as clients and that 'top-down approaches' were still being employed. This was a particular issue with regard to the financing of projects, which some DPOs felt were included in discussions about money, as the author reports: "Although money is raised in the North in the name of disability, the organisations [Northern NGOs] do not discuss openly and flexibly how these considerable resources should be spent."

The research found that the lack of effective collaboration between different Northern NGOs operating in Mozambique can lead to unecessary duplication and confusion with the DPO partners.

The report finally states that: "There is a need for commitment to open, frank discussion adn experience sharing on an ongoing basis among Southern DPOs themselves. The DPO workshop held during the second visit was a response to this need. The frank discussions that were held as part of the event were greatley apprieciated by all who attended."

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