Influence of Socio-economic Factors on Performance of Community Empowerment Projects: a Case of Strengthening Somali Governance Project in Mogadishu, Somalia

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to establish the influence of socio-economic factors on performance of community empowerment projects in Mogadishu, Somalia. Specifically, the study looked at literacy, gender roles, income levels and diversity of the project teams in relation to performance of community empowerment projects in Mogadishu, Somalia. The study was anchored on empowerment theory. The study adopted descriptive survey design targeting 130 project managers, project coordinators, project team leaders and community liaison officers from the Strengthening Somali Governance Project in Mogadishu City, Somalia. Census was adopted and thus the 130 respondents were included in the study. Primary data was collected with aid of the questionnaire that was piloted to determine reliability. Content and construct validity was tested by the supervisor. The analysis of the findings was done supported by means and standard deviations, frequencies and percentages and regression analysis. Tables were used in presenting the findings of the study. Based on the beta coefficients, literacy (β=.447) had the greatest effect on performance of the community empowerment projects followed by gender roles (β=.363), diversity of project team (β=.198) and lastly income levels (β=.076) respectively. The study concludes that socio-economic factors have significant influence performance of community empowerment projects in Mogadishu, Somalia. The study recommends that the project managers of the community empowerment projects in Mogadishu, Somalia should appreciate literacy when making decisions that affect the general performance of the projects in place. The project managers of the community empowerment projects in Mogadishu, Somalia should strive to promote gender equality and equity while reducing some existing patriarchal believes in the community. The finance managers of the community empowerment projects in Mogadishu, Somalia should have in place diverse sources of income to promote financial sustainability as they enhance community empowerment. The project teams running all the community empowerment projects in Mogadishu, Somalia should be drawn from diverse background to enhance performance