| dc.description.abstract | Due to high rate of unemployment among youths in Emuhaya District, the Youth Enterprise Development Fund has disbursed loans to 100 youth groups. However, about 99% of youth groups have neither repaid back nor completed repaying their loans. For this reason, the purpose of this study was set to establish determinants of sustainability of Youth Enterprise Development Fund Loans in Emuhaya district, Kenya.
The objectives of this study were: To identify the extent to which group dynamics influence sustainability of Youth Enterprise Development Fund loans in Emuhaya district, Kenya: To establish whether capacity building and training influence sustainability of Youth Enterprise Development Fund loans in Emuhaya district, Kenya: To examine the extent to which profitability in income generating activities influence sustainability of Youth Enterprise Development Fund loans in Emuhaya district, Kenya and to assess the extent to which market dynamics influence sustainability of Youth Enterprise Development Fund loans in Emuhaya district, Kenya.
The study was guided by the Theory of Youth Empowerment and a conceptual framework showing interrelatedness of various variables of the study. Descriptive research survey design was adopted and the study involved the administration of questionnaires. The findings of the study are of great significance to the management of Youth Enterprise Development Fund in ensuring sustainable loan to youths in Kenya.
The study found that the following aspects contributed to sustainability of the YEDF loans: Improved motivation of the group members in group activities was at 90%, improved sense of community was at 93%, increased involvement in decisionmaking by members was found to be 91%, having relevant group objectives at 92%, autocratic and democratic type of leadership in the group at 86% and at 78% respectively, improved the repayment of Youth Enterprise Development Fund loans.
Similarly, 85% of respondents who received trainings and 84% attended seminars, improved profits at 50% and improved market demand at 94%. The study concluded that the following aspects contributed to sustainability of the YEDF fund: Improved motivation of the group members in group activities, improved sense of community, increased involvement in decision-making by members, having relevant group objectives, democratic type of leadership in the group, trainings, seminars, improved profits, improved market demand and low market competition.
The study recommended that the government through the ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports should train the youth on the importance of democratic leadership, motivation, having a sense of community, importance of involvement in decision-making, importance of having relevant group objectives. The study suggests that future researchers should do the same study in other counties to compare with the findings of this study.
The study also suggested that future researchers should do a study on factors influencing youth involvement in SMEs in Emuhaya and factors contributing to low-uptake of YEDF loans by youth in rural areas. The study recommended that the government through the ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports should train the youth on the importance of democratic leadership, motivation, having a sense of community, importance of involvement in decision-making; research on emerging markets so as the youth groups can know areas where they can sell their goods and services at optimal prices; and empower the youth groups on how to improve the value chain of their products and services. | en_US |
