While capacity building projects are rarely on the frontpage of scientists' agendas, there are an increasing number of programs and initiatives run by a variety of institutes and individual scientists worldwide. These measures often focus on general scientific training and developing operational infrastructure, particularly within developing countries, acknowledging that in-country expertise is a critical element in ensuring success of the project and higher level goals (e.g. seismic risk reduction). Furthermore, global programs like the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation require geophysical monitoring and analysis capabilities at the national level, as effective implementation relies on active participation of member states.

With this session we aim to bring together both the providers and the recipients of these initiatives to share experience and exchange ideas and lessons learned, together with exploring possible synergies between the programs.
Contributions are welcome on how various programs evaluate their effectiveness and measure their success, and how to facilitate long-term sustainability beyond the life of the program, as well as how programs are designed for a particular target audience.
We also invite contributions from participants in those projects on the impact of the capacity building initiatives in their local environment.