| dc.description.abstract | In response to the call on pertinent concern about the fate of society’s great challenge of youth socio-economic empowerment, the government, institutions and individuals of goodwill have continued to offer their support. These efforts are however seemingly unrealized considering the persistent cry for youth empowerment. This study sought to establish the effectiveness of socio-economic projects youth on empowerment. The term effectiveness is used to mean weather the projects have or can achieve their objectives. The study identified three independent variables which are small and medium enterprise, sports and revolving fund scheme. Not only does best practise require that projects are monitored for control but also project stakeholders require transparency, accountability for resource use and impact, good project performance and to benefit future projects. This study adopted descriptive survey research design which entails both qualitative and quantitative data collection procedures. This allowed the researcher to gather information in a manner that reduced cost of data collection. The study was carried out within Nakuru municipality where the youth groups formed the target population. There are 1000 youth groups registered with the Nakuru district youth office however only 200 of this have received funding thus from this a random sample of 132 was sought for the study. Since there are other youth projects which are run by groups whose registration may be difficult to ascertain the study also utilized purposive sampling for 30 youth groups making a total of 162 sample elements. The study employed questionnaire interview format as its primary data collection method. The findings of the study reveal that 70.4% of the groups have SMEs which each group having an average of 2 enterprises. The SME projects have created employment for an average of 8 people. The main challenge in SMEs was established to be source of capital. The findings also revealed that only 28 (17.3%) groups of the sampled youth groups had sports as their project. the government funded youth group engaged in sports project more than the non-government with 57.1% and 42.9% respectively of the sampled groups that have sports project. Sports were identified to be faced with challenges; only 3 groups of the sampled groups that have sports project had a trainer, constrained source of sports utilities and lack of capital sports however seem to be a project that increase social interaction as 57.1% of the sampled youth groups that have sports activities established that they meet frequently. The study further revealed that 51.2% of the sampled youth groups had revolving fund though the fund’s main source of fund was members’ contribution. The average loan in Nakuru municipality is Ksh. 13,508.43. Most of the groups are loan worthy as 85.5% had not defaulted any loan. Just like the other projects the main challenge facing revolving fund is source of financing the project as established by 67.5% of the sampled youth groups that have revolving fund project. The study recommended that the government and other stakeholders should provide structural support to the youths in training, financing, mentorship and guidance. Also the relevant stakeholders should re strategize on how to approach sports with an aim of make it more economically meaningful to the youth and diversifying the types engaged in. They should also establish sustainable undertakings to deal with the sports. Finally, study recommended the need for more funds to the youth project accompanied by intensive training and thorough follow up to ensure that the established projects achieve their objectives. | en |
