Capacity building of voluntary organisations has been one of ALVA's main strengths. It provides training on advocacy, NGO governance and management and facilitates exchange of ideas through forums and seminars. ALVA holds an annual convention that is organised around a theme that is relevant and useful to its members. Experts and leading figures in civil society and government are invited to speak or conduct seminars and workshops.

ALVA has been promoting good governance among its members in order to have credibility and legitimacy to seek the same from the Government and other actors in society. It has initiated the process of self-evaluation and assessment among NGOs based on a set of norms and practices and motivated them to abide voluntarily. This programme has evolved into what is now Credibility Alliance, a group that promotes accountability, democracy and transparency through a process of certification. ALVA has been instrumental in promoting this process among NGOs.