No, Capabuild is fully independent, our counterparts set the agenda for training in close consultation with Capabuild. And although we frequently consult with our donors, the final decisions are made by our executive board subject to review by our supervisory board.  At the same time, we collaborate with organizations if and where appropriate.

In principle we do not exclude countries, but where we work should have a stable character, should be safe to work in and should not be politically red-flagged. In defining and scoping our missions we carefully look at various aspects of the customer country.

No. Although the Dutch ministry of Foreign affairs is an important donor of Capabuild, we are a fully independent organization. We do however consult with our stakeholders on a regular basis.

As a PPP we benefit from the financial and in kind support provided by our private industry donors and the Dutch Government. We are demand driven and our partner agencies set the agenda for capacity building. At all times there is a designated Capabuild expert ensuring no conflicts of interest arise. The views of private industry are highly valued by our tax revenue service partners. In our capacity building workshops we have sessions that are restricted to the participants and Capabuild’s tax experts who are not working in private industry. At all times we adhere to our conflict of interest policies. We are transparent and open how we manage the PPP challenges and over the last five years we are proud of the successful ways we have dealt with these challenges. It is a credit to our sponsors who fully understand the need for independence.

Please send us an email to info@capabuild.org

Capabuild’s specific features are:

1. Small and agile, ready to respond swiftly to training requirements by counterparts.
2. A diverse team of trainers with different perspectives on international tax issues.
3. Not being affiliated with a large organization means we can provide a range of views (UN, ATAF, ASEAN, OECD) in our training to provide our counterparts with possible choices in international tax.
4. Our experts are experienced trainers from different backgrounds and countries.
5. All our trainers are trained in online delivery of ‘live training sessions’.
6. Supported by online education experts ensuring we provide the best possible online engagement.
7. Providing opportunities for tax administration trainers to obtain a better understanding of the requirements of private industry if and when requested by the counterpart.

Capabuild is a foundation (stichting) incorporated under Dutch law and is managed by an executive board, currently consisting of Gitte Heij (chair) and Jan van Trigt  (treasurer). This board is responsible to an independent supervisory board, current members Attiya Waris, Martina Kampmann and Theo Groenenveld. We further work with experts, trainers and consultants on a free-lance, contractual basis. Based on the subsidy decision received, our operations are also subject to the ‘normal’ regulatory framework of the Dutch ministry of Foreign Affairs. An important part of that framework is that our financials are fully audited on a yearly basis. The audit comprises all our activities, so it is not limited to that part funded by Foreign Affairs. Our auditor is currently With Accountants, Amersfoort, the Netherlands.

Monitoring and evaluation (M+E) is key to ensuring that the capacity of our partners agencies (PA) is building in an ongoing and targeted way. Our M+E focusses on two main areas; engagement in the learning process and sustained application of knowledge. We have learnt through theory and experience that a high level of active involvement in learning supports our participants to embed their learning quickly into their own contexts and to be able to actively reflect on applications and methods that they can apply to their present roles. While content and context is built alongside our PA in a trusted environment with meetings, draft agenda and constant flow of feedback, the activities, presentations and interactives are designed by our education specialist alongside presenters. Founded on Knowles’ theories of adult learning, we emphasise: 

• Independent learning (prior readings, extended references, and the Tax Aggregator Portal)
• Background experience (auditing of each participants’ learning and work)
• Readiness and motivation to learn (relevant and engaging learning)
• Thirst for practical learning (context specific and South-South connections)

These principles are not only embedded in our design process which then creates learning centred on our PAs’ prior and desired capacities, but our M+E also seek out our impact in these areas. This is done through both qualitative and quantitative feedback that is, again, founded on trust and respect. We seek and expect feedback which is frank and fearless and express to our PA the fact that we are co-learners in the process and seeking to refine our own practice. This is done through: 

• Regular anonymous surveying before, during and after sessions.
• Open communication lines between PA with an agile approach – content, direction and activities often shift and adjust according to input.
• Structured debriefing meetings first internally and then alongside PA
• Trusted discussions between Capabuild relationship managers and our PAs’ senior management.

Sharing of comprehensive reports with PA with recommendations for future engagements.