As an advisory organisation, SNV’s role is to listen, challenge, support and facilitate the change and reform that local organisations are working towards. Implementation is in the hands of local actors. This SNV characteristic contributes to sustainable, nationally owned impact on development that will lead to lasting poverty reduction, and contributes as well towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

SNV advisers comprise of both international and national staff in order to bring the best possible combination of skills and inputs to clients. A typical capacity development package negotiated between SNV and the client organisation consists of one or more of the following services:

• process facilitation
• specialist sector-based advice
• training and coaching
• networking and linking
• knowledge facilitation and development
• advocacy and lobby support
• support in programme and financial management.