Monitoring and Evaluation Practices and Performance of Environmental Project in Nyabitekeri Sector, Rwanda. A Case of Environment and Climate Change Fund Project

Abstract

Assessment of projects monitoring and evaluation practice processes an effect on performance is critical in identifying opportunities for improved Monitoring and Evaluation (M & E) project plan. The effects of degradation arise from poor land use practices such as deforestation which lead to soil erosion. Other existing challenges include minimal capacity in terms of facility, information, manpower and funding for effective rivers and watershed management. The general objective of the study is to assess role of monitoring and evaluation practices on performance of environmental project in Rwanda. The specific objectives were to identify the contribution project budget on performance of environmental project in Nyamasheke, to determine the extent to which project risks analysis contributes to the performance of environmental project in Nyabitekeri Sector, to assess the role of capacity building on performance of environmental project in Nyabitekeri Sector and to establish relationship between monitoring and evaluation practice and performance of environmental project. The study used three theories such as social action theory, Social Control Theory and Habituated Action Theory. For the study researcher used descriptive research design with mixed methods such as quantitative and qualitative approaches. The target population was the district environmental protection officers, monitoring and project risks analysts at sector level, and environmental project beneficiaries and in total they were 27 213 from whom a sample of 394 was selected. Simple random sampling technique was used and data was collected using the questionnaire, interview and documentation. The analysis of data was done using SPSS version 21 and bivariate analysis was used to assess the association between the independent and dependent categorical variables using -values. The strengths of the associations were determined using simple and multiple logistic regression models, mean and standard deviation. Inference was made using a 95% confidence interval and a -value < 0.05. The results were presented in frequency, cross tabulation tables, pie charts and graphs. The study findings showed that monitoring and evaluation measured in terms of (project budget, project risks analysis and capacity building) played important role on performance of environmental project with -value= 0.000, -value =0.000 and -value =0.042 respectively. Keywords: Monitoring, Evaluation, performance, environment. Environmental project