Institutions shape human interaction through systems of rules and norms, enabling stability, coordination, and progress. They are essential to how societies address development challenges, respond to crises, and pursue sustainability. Yet for much of the postcolonial era, institutional capacity was viewed narrowly—as the state’s technical ability to administer programmes and enforce rules. While this helped establish formal systems, it often overlooked participatory and adaptive dimensions that make institutions resilient and effective. Today, with increasingly complex challenges, institutional development must go beyond administrative reforms. It must engage a broad spectrum of actors—governments, the private sector, civil society, media, and informal networks—toward shared goals. Institutional capacity needs to be seen as a dynamic, society-wide capability to collaborate, learn, and adapt.

 

From the 1970s, multilaterals like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund invested in infrastructure across the Global South. By the 1990s, weak institutions and poor implementation exposed the limits of this approach. In response, the global agenda shifted to strengthening systems, focusing on decentralisation, governance reform, and long-term capacity. This shift is now central to the SDGs, especially SDG 16 (strong institutions) and SDG 17 (partnerships), which emphasise effective governance, cooperation, and resilience.

 

India’s experience reflects this transition. The Green and White Revolutions succeeded not just through technology, but through robust institutional ecosystems. Local innovations like Kudumbashree and Tamil Nadu’s mid-day meal scheme scaled into national programmes such as NRLM and PM-POSHAN. Yet, progress is uneven. As per NITI Aayog’s 2023 SDG Index, several states are lagging on key indicators like health, education, and gender equality. The challenge is often not innovation, but ensuring basic, equitable service delivery. Institutional capacity today must include not only systems and skills, but legitimacy, cross-sector coordination, and public engagement.

 

As we stand at the crossroads of unprecedented global challenges, the need to reimagine and strengthen institutional capacity has never been more urgent. Our institutions, governments, private sector entities, civil society, and international organisations, are the cornerstone of sustainable development, and their ability to adapt, innovate, and lead will define the trajectory of our collective future. 

 

This forum brings together voices from policy, public enterprises, academia, international organisations, and civic networks across sectors to explore what it means to reimagine and develop institutional capacity today. By embracing innovative governance structures, forward-thinking policies, and inclusive approaches, we aim to chart a course that not only responds to immediate challenges but also anticipates future ones, ensuring institutions remain adaptable, equitable, and sustainable in the long term.

CDF 2025 will be held on 26–27 June 2025 in a hybrid format at the India International Centre and online. The convening will bring together a wide range of stakeholders to explore how institutional design can be a lever for systemic change, resilience, and long-term sustainability. Panels and workshops will examine critical issues such as transformative policy, innovative financing, digital governance, and urban service delivery.

 

Outcomes for CDF 2025

  • Understand the evolving role of institutional design in shaping governance, policy implementation, and inclusive service delivery, particularly in the context of sustainability, infrastructure, and public accountability.
  • Critically evaluate capacity development approaches that go beyond administrative and technical fixes to include leadership development, adaptive governance models, and institutional reforms.
  • Identify innovative financial, digital, and regulatory strategies, from green financing and AI-enabled governance to performance-based planning, that enhance institutional responsiveness and cross-sector coordination.
  • Gain actionable insights into strengthening state-local institutional relationships, through improved administrative training, participatory planning, and interdepartmental collaboration in areas such as urban development, disaster risk reduction, infrastructure and service delivery.
  • Explore how Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and government bodies undertake digital transformation and embedding ESG principles into core institutional functions—moving from compliance-based models to proactive, integrated sustainability strategies.
  • Draw on international case studies to strengthen domestic institutional capacity through contextual adaptation, peer learning, and global-local partnerships.
  • Foster peer learning and strategic networking across sectors and States to build shared approaches to institutional capacity, leadership, and resilience.

 

Day 1 will feature insights into how transformative policy, innovative financing, and multilevel governance can shape future-ready institutions. The day’s panels will bring together policymakers, urban practitioners, development finance experts, and institutional leaders to explore practical strategies for strengthening institutional capacity at national, state, and local levels. Participants will also gain exposure to real-world models that address equity, service delivery, and sustainability through improved governance and institutional agility—laying the groundwork for responsive, resilient, and scalable public systems.

 

Day 2 will offer participants a deep dive into the evolving governance and institutional landscapes of Public Sector Undertakings and global infrastructure systems. The panels will feature PSU leaders and governance experts discussing how digital transformation, ESG integration, and leadership development are reshaping the role of PSUs in delivering sustainable infrastructure. In the global dialogue that follows, city leaders, international practitioners, and resilience experts will share cross-context lessons on strengthening institutional capacity to respond to systemic risks like climate change and inequality. The forum will culminate in an in-person workshop on social accountability and participatory governance.

DAY 1 – THURSDAY, 26 JUNE, 2025
09.30 – 10.00 Welcome Address
10.00 – 11.00 Keynote Address
11.30 – 12.45 Panel 1 – Transformative Policy Approaches for Strengthening Institutional Capacity
14.00 – 15.15 Panel 2 – Leveraging Financial Resources to drive Institutional Capacity Development
15.30 – 16.45 Panel 3 – Navigating State and Local Government Capacities for Urban Transformation
DAY 2 – FRIDAY, 27 JUNE, 2025
10.00 – 11.15 Panel 4 – Digital Transformation and Governance Approaches in Capacity Development of PSUs
11.30 – 12.45 Panel 5 – Global Dialogue on Institutional Capacity Development
14.00 – 14.45 Way forward: Leaderspeak
15.00 – 17.00 Learning Workshop

DAY 1

Welcome Address

 

Keynote Address

 

Panel 1 – Transformative Policy Approaches for Strengthening Institutional Capacity

Moderator: Subha Muthu Kumar

As institutions confront increasingly complex development challenges, strategic policy initiatives have become vital to accelerate SDG progress. Innovation in digital governance, public health, water and sanitation, transport, and infrastructure financing are reshaping how institutions approach equity, sustainability, and service delivery. These efforts reflect a broader institutional development shift from administrative reform to strategic, adaptive capacity-development.

 

This panel brings together leaders from diverse sectors to explore how investments in human development, digital ecosystems, research, and cross-sectoral partnerships are enhancing institutional agility and evidence-informed policymaking, while enabling sustainability and equity. The discussion will highlight models that enable scalable, context-sensitive governance while addressing persistent barriers such as fragmented coordination, uneven access to innovation, and capacity gaps.

 

Panel 2 – Leveraging Financial Resources to drive Institutional Capacity Development

Moderator: Manish Dubey

As infrastructure needs expand across transport, water, energy, housing, and digital connectivity, public institutions are under mounting pressure to deliver at scale—despite limited fiscal space and growing complexity. Traditional financing approaches often fall short of supporting sustainable, long-term infrastructure development. In this evolving landscape, financial innovation is not just about mobilising funds, but about developing the institutional capacity required for effective planning, implementation, and governance.

 

This panel will examine how institutions are adopting adaptive financing mechanisms such as pooled funds, municipal bonds, blended finance, outcome-based models, and state-level investment boards. It will explore how these tools are being used to strengthen fiscal management, foster inter-agency coordination, and unlock private sector co-investment. Through real-world examples, the session will highlight how aligning financial strategy with institutional design can improve infrastructure delivery and build resilient, future-ready public institutions.

 

Panel 3 – Navigating State and Local Government Capacities for Urban Transformation

Moderator: Abhinav M

India’s urban transformation is unfolding within a complex web of institutional relationships between State governments and Urban Local Bodies. While cities are central to delivering services aligned with the SDGs, such as housing, sanitation, mobility, and climate resilience, they often face structural challenges including fragmented mandates, limited autonomy, and capacity deficits. These gaps constrain the ability of local institutions to plan, scale, and sustain urban development aligned with long-term goals.

 

This panel will explore how state governments can strengthen urban governance and enable the contextualised implementation of centrally sponsored schemes and SDG targets. It will examine the role of political leadership, intergovernmental transfers, state-local relations and institutional reforms in translating national frameworks into local action. Through case studies and practical insights, the session will highlight strategies to develop municipal capacity, foster institutional learning, and empower city leadership—ensuring that urban institutions are equipped to respond to local needs while advancing broader development priorities.

DAY 2

Panel 4 – Digital Transformation and Governance Approaches in Capacity Development of PSUs

Moderator: Amit Mohapatra

Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) play a critical role in driving India’s infrastructure and development agenda, particularly in sectors like energy and transport. As they navigate growing expectations around sustainability, digital transformation, and accountability, PSUs are under pressure to evolve beyond traditional bureaucratic models and embrace more agile, transparent, and performance-driven governance.

 

This panel will examine the shift from compliance-based approaches to proactive sustainability leadership, while addressing challenges such as internal capacity gaps, coordination hurdles, and outdated governance structures. It will explore how PSUs are integrating ESG principles into core operations—from planning and financing to risk management and accountability. With insights from policymakers, operational leaders, and strategists, the session will highlight pathways to institutional reform, leadership development, and governance innovation to ensure PSUs remain both commercially competitive and socially responsible.

 

Panel 5 – Global Dialogue: Strengthening Institutions for Infrastructure Resilience

Moderator: Amir Bazaz

As infrastructure systems face growing pressures from climate change, rapid urbanisation, and deepening inequality, developing institutional capacity for resilience is more critical than ever. This panel explores how institutions can evolve or be built to navigate these complex challenges and drive long-term transformation. Bringing together global practitioners, city leaders, financial experts, and researchers, the session will examine how institutional capacity is developed through integrated governance, strategic planning, and collaborative partnerships. The discussion will draw on a range of frameworks and models used to strengthen infrastructure resilience such as systems thinking, risk informed planning, adaptive governance, and multi-level coordination.

 

Through case studies and cross-cultural dialogue, the panel will highlight how global learning networks and shared innovations can help shape inclusive, future ready institutions grounded in local realities but informed by global insights.

 

Way Forward (Closing Address)