THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMON DEVELOPMENT FUND IN DEVELOPING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN RWANDA. A CASE STUDY OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN RUBAVU DISTRICT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION 11

SUPERVISOR’S APPROVAL iii

DEDICATION iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT V

TABLE OF CONTENTS Vi

LIST OF TABLES ix

LIST OF FIGURES X

LIST OF ACRONYMS Xi

ABSTRACT Xffi

CHAPTER ONE 1

INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background of the Study 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem 3

1.3 Purpose of study

1.4 Objectives of the study 4

1.5 Research questions 4

1.6 Scope 5

1.7 Significance of the study 6

CHAPTER TWO 7

LITERATURE REVIEW 7

2.1 Introduction 7

2.2 Theoretical framework 7

2.3 Conceptual framework .9

2.4. Decentralisation policy in Rwanda 11

2.5 Community Participation 14

2.6 Development projects 16

2.7 Common Development Fund (CDF) 18

2.8 Local Government in Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation process. 21

CHAPTER THREE 26

METHODOLOGY 26

3.1 Introduction 26

3.2 Research Design 26

3.3 Target Population 26

3.4 Sample and Sampling Procedure 27

3.5 Research Instruments 27

3.6 Validity and Reliability 28

3.7 Data collection 29

3.8 Ethical consideration 29

3.9 Limitations of the Study 29

CHAPTER FOUR 31

PRESENTATION,INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS 31

4.1 Introduction 31

4.2 Characteristics of Respondents 31

4.2.1 Age, Gender and Marital Status of respondents 31

4.2.2 Respondents’ Educational Level 32

4.3. CDF Areas of Intervention ~

4.4 Presentation of Findings 34

4.4.1 Various development Projects funded by CDF in Rubavu District (2006-2009) 34

4.4.2 The contribution (the success or not) of CDF in enhancing participatory development projects in Rubavu District 41

4.4.3 Major challenges to the CDF in financing development projects in Rubavu District 56

CHAPTER FIVE 58

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 58

5.1 Introduction 58

5.2 Conclusions 58

5.3 Recommendations 61

5.4 Suggested Areas for Further Research 63

REFERENCES 64

APPENDICES 67

APPENDIX A: RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS

1. QUESTIONNAIRES

2. INTERVIEW GUIDE

APPENDIX B: INTRODUCTION LETTER FROM KIU

APPENDIX C: CDF TRANSFERS FUNDS TO DISTRICTS

APPENDIX D: SAMPLE SIZE REQUIRED FOR THE GIVEN POPULATION SIZES

ABSTRACT 

The study examined the Effectiveness of Common Development Fund in developing local governments in Rwanda, using community participation in Rubavu District as a case study. The study was guided by three objectives: to examine the various development projects funded by CDF in Rubavu District; to examine the contribution or the failure of CDF in enhancing participatory development projects in Rubavu District; to examine the challenges faced CDF in development projects in Rubavu District. A stratified method of sampling and purposive technique was used to select the sample. A self- administered questionnaire was used as the main method of data collection. Nonetheless, documentary review and informal interviews were used as well to supplement and validate the data collected through the self-administered questionnaire. The study findings were three main revelations: (1) requests for development projects for local entities are far from being satisfied because the national annual contribution which should be at least 10% of the government internal revenues is now 3.6% ;(2) the success of CDF: CDF used proper management of the little available funds to support decentralized entities initiatives by using distribution formula. As regards the satisfaction of people and local leaders, CDF funded 25 development projects in Rubavu District based on its areas of intervention by increasing people’ incomes. CDF has integrated new programs (PDL-HIMO, UBUDEHE and vision 2020 Umurenge for sustaining development projects and contributing to poverty reduction by improvement in terms of diversification of financing networks. (3) Major challenges faced CDF are: Insufficient financing to CDF; Insufficient updated indices, Linkage between planning and xiv effectiveness of CDF action with regard to its mission; CDF is less or not known to partners and beneficiaries; Weak Capacity of CDF and decentralized entities in planning, management, monitoring/evaluation. Therefore, overall, the researcher recommends mobilizing more resources both from government (10% of Government Internal Revenues) and donors to finance development of local governments, to continue to use proper management of available funds and to enhance CDF capacities and its beneficiaries.