Effectiveness Of Commmunity Participation Towards Rural Development Projects In Tanzania: A Case Study Of Morogoro District

ABSTRACT

The study aimed at finding out the effectiveness of community participation in Rural Development Projects. It was guided by three specific objectives which are: to assess the extent to which the community participates in community development projects, to explore mechanisms and strategies used to ensure effective community participation in community development projects and to examine the role of the Government and NGOs in ensuring effective community participation in community development projects This study employed a cross sectional research design whereby qualitative and quantitative approach guided data collection and presentation. It used sample size of 80 respondents who selected in both probability and non probability sampling technique. The study applied survey participatory observation and interview as method for data collection whereas questionnaire and interview guide and documentary review used as tools for data collection. Data analysis employed both qualitative and quantitative methods with the help of statistical packages for social scientist (SPSS Version 21) and Microsoft excel. The findings reveal that; community members do not participate effectively due to lack of education in project management as the projects die when they are handed over to the community. Moreover, there is unequal participation between men and women. Poverty was also a factor limiting local communities to participate effectively. Furthermore; approaches used by the local government and NGO‟s in the community participation were; project identification, formulation, implementation and evaluation. Also the way used by both government and NGO‟s to disseminate information to the people was through meetings. Based on these findings, the study concluded that there must be long term commitment to working with the poor, staff with knowledge and skills in participatory approaches and equitable distribution of benefits accrued from beneficiaries‟ engagement in development projects. Moreover; skill-training must be provided to the community before the projects start to operate. Furthermore; education must be provided to the general public concerning advantage and disadvantage of the community who think that those projects benefit the local government and they are none of their business.