Factors Influencing Stakeholders’ Participation In Ward Development Fund Projects

Abstract

Stakeholder’s participation is an important aspect of public projects as its creates accountability and transparence during the implementation process. The objective of this study is to investigate factors influencing stakeholder participation in WDF projects in Ndaragwa Sub-county. The study will be guided by four specific objectives, namely: To determine the level of stakeholder awareness in WDF projects in Ndaragwa Sub-county;.To examine the influence of Governance and regulatory framework on stakeholder participation in WDF projects; and to determine the influence of social capital on stakeholder participation in WDF projects.To assess the influence of competence of implementation team on stakeholder participation in WDF projects in Ndaragwa Sub-county.The study will use descriptive survey method whereby beneficiaries of the fund in Ndaragwa Sub-county will be the target population. The sample size of 160 will be selected using simple multi-stage sampling selection method. 150 respondents will be from the members of the community . 10 respondents with experience in managing WDF projects will be selected using purposive sampling method. A standardized questionnaire, designed to include both closed and open-ended questions, will be used for data collection. Data analysis will be done using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, means, percentages, standard deviations and correlation. Data presentation will employ tools such as tables. The finding shows that majority of the respondents are aware about WDF projects in their ward. However their participation in identification of WDF projects in their ward is low. On governance and regulatory framework majority of the interviewed noted that laws, rules and structure are highly not conducive to the participation of stakeholders’ in WDF project. Also large number of the respondents agreed that competence of the implementation team influence to a very great extent to stakeholders’ participation in WDF projects. From the study, it was found that significant large number of respondents are members of respective welfare groups, associations and self-help groups within their locality. The study concluded that for a large number of stakeholders to participate in WDF projects, they must be involved in identification, implementation and monitoring and evaluation activities Furthermore rules and regulations are weak in terms of promotion of stakeholders’ participation in WDF projects. Internal structure of most WDF projects also lack broader representation and therefore affecting participation in these projects. Competence of the implementation team, is also important especially in the aspect of organizing and managing activities involving stakeholders’ participation. The more the better. With respect to social capital, the more the members belong to a welfare group, an association or self-help group within their locality the more it increases the frequency of stakeholders, participation in WDF projects. The study recommended that the need to involve various actors in the WDF projects to appropriate strategies for promotion of Stakeholders’ participation in the WDF projects. Rules and regulations upon which the WDF project is anchored must be changed to make them conducive and mandatory for stakeholder’s participation .For a positive outcome of stakeholders, participation , the implementation team need to be trained on the best practice on how to handle these activities .Furthermore members recruited as committee or staff members must be competent in terms of level of education, skills and experience for the best outcome