Project Beneficiaries Research Articles

Фінансування проєктів ESG: зарубіжні практики та можливості розвитку в Україні

The theoretical basis of our study was to assess the evolution of ESG practices, study the essential characteristics of their key components, namely Environmental (care of the environment), Social (social projects), and Governance (transparency of governance). The article examines the specifics and approaches to ESG analysis, foreign and domestic assessment practices. In particular, the overview of ESG funding trends is based on the work and analytical reports of experts from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. This laid the groundwork for the separation of financial practices and ESG support tools. ESG components are an important part of JPMorgan Chase\\\\\\\'s activities, that allows it to maintain its leading position in international markets in a pandemic society. Therefore, the study identifies the areas of ESG projects that are funded under the operational activities of JPMorgan Chase, as well as in view of strategic priorities. A map of the beneficiaries of Citigroup-funded ESG projects is presented. Accordingly, ESG projects expands the range of Citigroup beneficiaries. The experience of building strategic priorities through the implementation of ESG practices on the example of Goldman Sachs is analyzed. Examples of the development and financing practices of ESG projects in Ukraine are given. Proposals have been made for measures to stimulate financial support for ESG projects in Ukraine. Realization of the existing potential is possible due to the creation of an integrated system of incentives for ESG projects financing, which requires the harmonization of relevant regulations and standards at the national level with industry standards and strategies of socially responsible activities of contractors. The research may be useful both in the context of financial support of ESG projects and development of investment strategies at the business level.

Effects of Fadama III Project on the Income of Dry Season Rice Farmers in Sokoto State, Nigeria

The effects of Fadama III project to the improvement in the income of participating dry season rice farmers inSokoto state was studied. Population of the study comprised of all dry season rice farmers in Sokoto state. Purposivesampling was used to select six Local Government Areas. Purposive sampling was used to ensure the selection ofLGAs with outstanding potentials in the cultivation of dry season crops. Random sampling technique was used toselect 20 project participants and 12 non-project participants from each of the selected LGAs. Descriptive statisticsand gross margin analysis were used for data analysis. Findings of the study revealed that Majority of projectbeneficiaries (71.30%) and non-project beneficiaries (63.38%) did not attain any form of formal education. Cost oflabour (family and hired) dominated the production cost for both the project beneficiaries and non-projectbeneficiaries. Result of the gross margin analysis showed that the project participants made more profit (N319,459.44 Per Hectatre) in dry season rice production compared to N270, 334.61 Per Hectare earned by non-projectparticipants. It was recommended that the Fadama III project should as much as possible expand their area ofoperation so that more farmers can benefit from their services.

Effects of Fadama III Project on Dry Season Onion Farmers’ Income in Sokoto State, Nigeria

The effect of Fadama III project to the improvement in the income of participating dry season onion farmers inSokoto State was studied. Population of the study comprised of all dry season onion farmers in Sokoto State.Purposive sampling was used to select six Local Government Areas, while random sampling technique was usedto select 15 respondents each from the project participants and non-project participants in each of the six LocalGovernment Areas. Descriptive statistics and gross margin analysis were used for data analyses. Findings of thestudy revealed that Majority (63.53% and 76.40%) of project beneficiaries and non-project beneficiariesrespectively did not attain any form of formal education. Cost of fertilizer dominated the production cost for boththe project beneficiaries (46.61%) and non-project beneficiaries (55.99%) of total cost. Result of the gross marginanalysis shows that the project participants made more profit in dry season onion production (₦241, 854.89)compared to the non-project participants (₦63,328.59). It was recommended that Fadama III project should as muchas possible expand their area of operation so that more farmers can benefit from their services.

Assessment of Factors Influencing Non-Communicable Diseases Literacy Levels in Vihiga County–A Qualitative Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Health outcomes are closely influenced by health literacy levels. In most cases, lower health literacy levels have been found to be related to higher prevalence and incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs)–including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic respiratory diseases. Despite this wealth of knowledge on the relationship between literacy levels and NCDs, most previous studies have been on the incidence and the prevalence of NCDs. Aims: This study therefore sought to assess the factors influencing non-communicable diseases literacy levels, Vihiga County (Kenya). Methodology: The study used a qualitative cross-sectional study design to collect data through though questionnaires and interview guides administered through focused group discussions and key informant interviews. A sample size of 55 respondents was used in this study–mostly the IPAB project (Improving Priority and Budget Allocation to NCDs in Vihiga County) beneficiaries. The data collected from this study was coded using Microsoft excel version 25 and analyzed using statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS version 25) and inductive data analysis (IDA) for the qualitative data collected was analyzed through traditional significance test. Results: The study reported that community health programs and initiatives on NCDs, patient support groups, culture and misinformation influence NCD literacy levels. The study findings indicate that culture and misinformation, patient support groups, and community health programmes and initiatives are three key components that need to be considered when improving NCDs literacy levels. Conclusion: The study also concludes that IPAB project helped boost the resident’s knowledge and understanding of NCDs. The findings of this study offer critical insights to Vihiga County Government to tailor their NCDs advocacy programs to fit local context thereby enhancing the knowledge and understanding on NCDs.

Networking and Collaboration as an Influencer on Sustainability of Public Borehole Water Projects in Kitui County-Kenya

The study focuses on networking and collaboration on sustainability of public boreholes water projects. The following was the objective; to assess the extent to which learning from networking and collaboration influences the sustainability of public borehole water projects in Kitui County-Kenya. The study tested the null hypothesis to establish whether the association among the study variable was significant. The target population was 366234 project beneficiaries, 396 chairpersons and 8 undertakers. A sample was drawn from this population using a formula adding to 383 project beneficiaries, 167 chairpersons and 8 undertakers. With R2=0.267, r=0.811, F(2,506) =30.41 at p=0.000, the hypothesis that there is no significant relationship between capacity building initiatives and sustainability of public borehole water projects in Kitui County-Kenya is therefore rejected. The findings from the study are expected to create a strong basis for enhancing future public borehole water project planning, designing, implementation, and management and also provided vital information for national government, county government, NGO’s, project managers, local communities and project implementers which was useful for initiating sustainable projects.

Capacity Building Initiatives as a Predictor for Sustainability of Projects: A Study of Public Borehole Water Project in Kitui County-Kenya

This study focuses on capacity building initiatives influences sustainability of public boreholes water projects. The following was the objective; to assess the extent to which learning from capacity building initiatives, influences the sustainability of public borehole water projects in Kitui County-Kenya. The study tested one null hypothesis to establish whether the association among the study variables was significant. The target population was 366234 project beneficiaries, 396 chairpersons and 8 undertakers. A sample was drawn from this population using a formula adding to 383 project beneficiaries and 167 chairpersons. Purposive sampling was employed to select 8 undertakers in charge of public boreholes in each Sub counties. With R2=0.52, r=0.721, F(2,506) =39.01 at p=0.000, the hypothesis that there is no significant relationship between capacity building initiatives and sustainability of public borehole water projects in Kitui County-Kenya is therefore rejected. The study findings are expected to evidently demonstrate how capacity building initiatives program should be undertaken in public borehole water projects to enhance project sustainability.

Promotion and Uptake of Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) Practices among Kenyan MSMEs: Key Learnings

This article analyses and assesses the integration of sustainable consumption and production (SCP) practices in the horticultural production of Kenyan micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) within the framework of the EU Switch Africa Green project ‘Green Horticulture at Lake Naivasha’ (GOALAN) in the Lake Naivasha basin, Kenya. The aim of the study is to understand what facilitates and hinders the uptake of SCP practices. Using qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, this article is based on a case study approach. The study looked into (1) 158 MSMEs (project beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries) regarding their adoption and implementation of SCP practices, as well as their encountered challenges, opportunities, and evidenced outcomes; and (2) five ‘best practice’ case studies from the project beneficiary group. Findings indicate some key factors influencing the decision of MSMEs to adopt and implement SCP practices. These factors encompass access to SCP know-how, the identification of potential benefits, access to specialized and reliable markets, access to finance, and access to infrastructure. Based on the findings, the study suggests that to promote the uptake and long-term implementation of SCP practices by horticultural MSMEs, it is key to build the capacity of MSMEs, improve financial capacity to invest in SCP measures, enhance access to markets through establishing new linkages with buyers and customers, and enable infrastructure.

STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT DURING PROJECT INITIATION: A SUSTAINABILITY FACTOR OF SMALLHOLDER DONOR-FUNDED IRRIGATION PROJECTS IN ZVIMBA DISTRICT, ZIMBABWE

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the involvement of stakeholders during initiation of donor-funded smallholder irrigation projects in Zvimba district, Zimbabwe, was a critical sustainability factor. Donor-funded smallholder irrigation projects investments enhance water security for agricultural production and improve peasant farmers’ livelihoods in the face of climate change induced risks. While these donor-funded smallholder irrigation investments have historically empowered local communities, ensured food security and contributed to economic growth, we have an incomplete understanding of why they collapse after the withdrawal of the donors. This paper addresses this gap by adopting the pragmatism philosophy which prompted the use of whatever works to explore how involvement of stakeholders during initiation of irrigation investments influences its sustainability. To do so, stratified and purposive sampling techniques were used to select a population of 360 people who included donor-funded irrigation project beneficiaries, community, local leaders and Agritex officers for a Zvimba district case study. The results advance that collapses of investments are consequences of non-involvement of beneficiaries in initiation of donor-funded smallholder irrigation projects. The findings highlight that in the context of irrigation projects in Zvimba district, donors, government officials and political actors were the only participants during needs assessment, stakeholder identification and project designing phases. Project beneficiaries from the communities and suppliers of irrigation equipments and inputs only came on board during the project construction phases. While findings remain contextual to the Zvimba district study area, the study concludes that non-involvement of beneficiaries, inputs suppliers, buyers, interest groups in the initiation process of the donor-funded irrigation project was a critical sustainability factor. In that context, the study recommended the adoption of a participatory donor-funded smallholder irrigation project initiation model, which calls for the involvement of all stakeholders for the entire irrigation project development life cycle.

Transport accessibility as institutional barriers of territory budgeting

In the context of interest of state policy in expanding the ways of interplay between the state authorities and citi-zens the study and analysis of the initiative budgeting (IB) mechanisms, tools in the administrative territorial units of the Russian Federation and the evaluation of their effectiveness has become one of the most actual questions from the standpoint of involving citizens in local self-government. Often, the implementation of IB programs is based on the achievement of previously planned results (the so-called "disbursement of funds within the framework of national projects", how it happens in the implementation of the national project "Safe and high-quality roads" ), and does not correspond to the very essence of initiative budgeting because it does not take into account the degree of citizens’ activity in decision-making, and it does not assess the institutional barriers (such as transport remoteness of the population from the economic centers of the region) that prevent citizens from engaging in the process of determining directions of public finance expenditures. At the same time the quantitative values of the results is not often so significant since their rapid achievement especially in the first years of the implementation of budget pro-jects occurs with ignoring of such the key issue of IB as whose interests IB is implemented in and why IB programs proposed by the state are not accepted by the population. This research involves studying the behavioral reactions of such main beneficiaries of IB projects as population of municipalities on the Trans-Baikal Territory, identifying institutional barriers to the introduction of IB, determining the role of state and civil society in the development and implementation of IB projects.

The Seal of Good Local Governance in Digos City: Challenges and Opportunities

This descriptive study aimed to explore the challenges and opportunities of the local government of Digos in its endeavor for the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) and the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF). Mixed methods research design was employed, particularly the convergent parallel approach. The qualitative part constructed the enabling factors and areas for improvement in the implementation of the SGLG and PCF based on accounts of personnel of the City Government who were directly involved in the assessment and preparations, representatives of oversight government agencies relevant to the seven SGLG criteria and PCF project beneficiaries. The quantitative part described the level of perceptions on the contribution of the SGLG and PCF to improved local governance in the City based on a survey to the constituents. Thematic analysis and descriptive statistics were used to process the data. It was found that the enabling factors in the accomplishment of the SGLG award of Digos City were anticipation, articulation and delegation, while areas for improvement were risk aversion, information and data management, participation and devolution. The perception of the people of Digos City also revealed a high level of agreement (x=3.98, n=399) that the SGLG and PCF elicited improved local governance. Considering each criteria of the SGLG, it was found that the areas on financial administration and business friendliness and competitiveness have garnered very high levels of perception. Based on these findings, it was inferred that the challenges for Digos City for better implementation of the SGLG law in the future are risk management and increasing spaces for participation while the opportunities are implementation of e-governance and increasing capacity for decentralization.

Międzynarodowa mobilność edukacyjna jako determinanta rozwoju osobistego i zawodowego studentów

The aim of the article is to analyze the extent, to which the participation of students in learning mobility projects on the example of the Erasmus+ programme influences the improvement of their individual skills desired from the perspective of the labour market. The text begins with an introduction that outlines the background to the considerations undertaken. Next, the historical context of learning mobility in Europe and the process of internationalization of universities are presented as one of the consequences of the globalizing labour market. In the following part of the article we characterized the best known European programme promoting academic mobility Erasmus+. The end of the article contains a review of the research on the competences of beneficiaries of learning mobility projects, supported by statistical data, and an attempt to draw a link between participation in student exchange and the chances of finding a satisfactory employment after graduation. The analysis shows that graduates with foreign mobility experience develop a number of characteristics and skills, that increase their employability and career opportunities.

The Challenge of Participation in Community Development Activities in Rural Ghana: Implications for Effective Development Communication

Despite increasing calls for adequate measures to promote participatory development, stakeholder satisfaction with participation in development projects remains a challenge. This study explored the views of beneficiaries of Cocoa Life Project interventions and local authorities of Wassa East District of Ghana regarding their satisfaction with participation during the planning, implementation and evaluation stages of a development project. The study used sequentialdependence mixed methods design. A total of 410 respondents including farmers, members of Village Savings and Loans Groups, Head of District Agriculture Department, Head of Business Advisory Centre, District Education Planner and Extension Agents were selected for the study. Interview schedule, focus group discussion and interview guides were used for data collection. The study found that, apart from awareness creation on development problems and problem identification, project beneficiaries and local authorities were lowly satisfied with participation in planning activities. Again, satisfaction with participation in evaluation activities of the project was low among beneficiaries and local authorities. Also, no significant difference manifested in the overall satisfaction with participation among project beneficiaries irrespective of differences in sex and marital status

Approaches to Building Default Probability Models for Financial Instruments of Project Financing at Long Time Horizons


 Project financing is one of the priority tools for stimulating the country's economic growth around the world, which allows the implementation of large-scale and capital-intensive projects, providing favorable credit conditions with insufficient creditworthiness of the project beneficiaries [1].
 As a rule, project financing instruments are long-term (10-30 years, depending on the type of transaction), so this asset class is interesting for the implementation of the task of building long-term models for assessing credit risk associated with the introduction in 2018 of the new international financial reporting standard IFRS 9 "Financial Instruments".
 The new standard requires financial institutions to calculate their expected credit loss (ECL) at the time of granting loans and other banking products exposed to credit risk [2], taking into account different time horizons, which significantly changes the traditional approaches to assessing credit risk by commercial banks [3], [4].
 As part of this work, a model was built to assess the long-term probability of default for the portfolio of assets of a Russian commercial bank belonging to the project finance segment in accordance with the requirements of the International Financial Reporting standard IFRS 9 "Financial Instruments". At present, the topic of this work is extremely relevant and may be of interest both for commercial banks that are faced with the problem of improving credit risk assessment models

Implementation Strategies and Performance of Non-Governmental Organization Projects in Rwanda: A Case of Faith Victory Association Projects, Kayonza District

The general objective of this study is to assess the effect of implementation strategies on performance of NGO projects with specific reference to Gikuriro project implemented by Faith Victory Association in Kayonza. The specific objectives were to examine the community empowerment, capacity building and community participation on performance of NGO projects. The study played a significant role to various people including researcher, the management of the project itself, government and academic researchers. When conducting this study, a descriptive research design with two mixed methods such quantitative and qualitative approach was used. The target population was project beneficiaries who were given questionnaires and the project administrators as well as staff who were interviewed. In total the total target population was 13250 people, from whom a sample of 400 was selected using Sloven’s formula. The study used a stratified random sampling technique and data were collected using questionnaires and interviews .The analysis of data was done using SPSS version 22.0 and Microsoft Excel. Both inferential (correlation and regression analysis)and descriptive statistics(mean and standard deviation) were used. The findings pertaining research objectives showed that the community empowerment, capacity building and community participation affect performance of NGO projects. On community empowerment 95% of the respondents Community training, Farmer learning schools, Village NS as capacity building strategies affected performance of NGO projects. The study findings further showed that 89%) of respondents community empowerment through saving groups affected performance of NGO projects. The study findings showed the community participation in utilities or consumable types agriculture was e 61% community participation animal type of assets wwas24% community participation in agricultural tools represent 47% while community participation in house and land 54.8%. When assessing the relationship between implementation strategies and performance of NGO projects with specific reference to Gikuriro project implemented by Faith Victory Association in Kayonza, the study findings showed that there is a significant relationship between implementation strategies and performance of NGO projects presented a positive correlation with p-value (r = 0.092, p = 0.067), (r = -0.008, p = 0.000), (r = 0.016, p = 0.000), (r = 0.042, p = 0.000), (r = 0.006. p = 0.000) and (r = -0.036, p = 0.000). The study concludes that community empowerment, capacity building and community participation on performance of NGO projects are important strategies for ensuring project sustainability. The study, recommended that NGO funded projects in Kayonza District should be have clear guiding implementation strategies and procedure, community participation strategy in place and integrating monitoring in their implementation strategies at all stages.

Digital Twins in Healthcare: an Assessment of Technological and Practical Prospects

Background. The technological direction digital Twins is included in the list of the main strategic technological trends of 20192021. At the end of 2021, an initiative was announced in the Russian Federation aimed at creating a digital twin in the domestic healthcare system as part of the primary care modernization project. Aims the purpose of the study is to review possible ways of using digital twins technology in the global healthcare system and in its Russian segment, as well as to build patent and publication landscapes to identify technological and academic leaders of the frontier. Methods. Scientometric and patent analysis. Results. The key stages of the development of the frontier digital twins in healthcare are traced. According to the data of the scientometric and patent analyses carried out in the priority direction digital twins in healthcare and medicine, the Russian Federation at the end of 2021 ranks 35th in the world in terms of specific weight in the total number of articles in publications indexed in WoS, and 20th in the world in terms of specific weight in the total number of patent applications for an invention, i.e. it is not among the 10 leading countries. The citation of domestic publications in the internationalized segment is significantly lower than the average (normalized) indicator, which does not give grounds to talk about the achievement of research excellence and even world-class domestic competence centers. Conclusion. The creation of the Digital Healthcare Consortium in 2018, the world-class Scientific Center Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare in 2020 and the initiative of the regulator (Ministry of Health of Russia) in 2021 should be noted as key events in the development of the frontier in the Russian Federation. At the same time, it is important to note that the main global actors in the transformation of the digital twins frontier into high-tech equipment and services are not research centers, but companies acting simultaneously as qualified customers and beneficiaries of ongoing projects of a full innovation cycle. Having huge RD budgets and having a clear goal setting, it is these participants in the process that become the main drivers of the technological development of the healthcare sector associated with the introduction of digital twins. In this regard, the absence of the direction of Russian companies on the patent landscape cannot but cause concern, which creates risks of using innovative solutions created in the domestic sector of interdisciplinary research in the interests of foreign corporations identified as technology leaders in this review.

REDD+ policy implementation and institutional interplay: Evidence from three pilot projects in Cameroon

There is evidence that institutions related to climate change and natural resource influence each other's performance, and that local settings also affect policy outcomes. We examine how policy implementation processes and institutional interactions shape the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) programme in Cameroon. While institutional and governance features of REDD+ have been extensively studied, research on REDD+ implementation has primarily focused on resource tenure, benefit-sharing and participation. Less attention has been given to how implementation typology determines the highly influential factors for REDD+ outcomes, and how preexisting forest institutions affect REDD+. We apply a policy implementation framework and a theory for institutional interaction to examine how REDD+ implementation typologies, and interactions with forestry regulations influence the outcomes of three REDD+ pilot projects in South and West Cameroon. Drawing from four focus group discussions with project beneficiaries and thirteen interviews with local stakeholders and land-users, we find that REDD+ projects epitomise political implementation in the South and experimental implementation in the West. We also indicate how project outcomes have been affected by rules regarding community forests, reforestation and timber processing. Our findings suggest that cultural understanding and local knowledge as well policy designers' ability to satisfy community preferences is important for projects'outcomes in the South, while resource availability and social capital are pivotal in the West. Incentives to promote local timber processing, rethink and expedite the decentralisation of forest governance would improve REDD+ project implementation in Cameroon.

Extensive and Improved Traditional Poultry Farming in Togo: A Comparative Analysis of Socioeconomic Characteristics of Farmers

Since 2014, the Agricultural Sector Support Project (PASA) has been assisting smallholder farmers in Togo with the adoption of Improved Traditional Poultry Farming Technique (ITPFT) in rural areas for wealth creation, food security and poverty alleviation. This paper focuses on comparing the socioeconomic characteristics of beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of PASA subsidies. Both random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select 400 farmers. The sample consisted of 86 project beneficiaries and 314 non-beneficiaries. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Results of analysis indicated that there is a significant difference in socioeconomic variables such as self-financing capacity, level of education, membership in cooperative societies, household size, farm size, and annual sale of poultry between project beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries prior to the implementation of PASA. Descriptive statistics show that five years after the implementation of PASA, the annual poultry sales per farmer ranged from 0 to 1700 birds for beneficiaries and from 9 to 200 birds for non-beneficiaries. The turnover per farmer ranged from US $ 0 to US $ 42409 and from US $ 33 to US $ 996 for beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries, respectively. The profit per farmer ranged from US $ 0 to US $ 25446 for beneficiaries and from US $ 26 to US $ 797 for non-beneficiaries. The magnitude of the standard deviations of the potential outcome variables among beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries suggests that adoption rates of ITPFT may vary from one farmer to another. As a result, compared to non-beneficiaries, beneficiaries experienced a greater increase in potential outcomes five years after the implementation of PASA. Failure to comply with improved production technique on certain farms, despite receiving subsidies, is a factor that could negatively impact the effective, efficient, and optimal achievement of the project’s expected results. Further research will concentrate on determining the added value of PASA through the use of appropriate and thorough econometric adoption and impact assessment methods.

Public Attitudes to Digital Health Research Repositories: Cross-sectional International Survey.

BackgroundDigital health research repositories propose sharing longitudinal streams of health records and personal sensing data between multiple projects and researchers. Motivated by the prospect of personalizing patient care (precision medicine), these initiatives demand broad public acceptance and large numbers of data contributors, both of which are challenging.ObjectiveThis study investigates public attitudes toward possibly contributing to digital health research repositories to identify factors for their acceptance and to inform future developments.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey was conducted from March 2020 to December 2020. Because of the funded project scope and a multicenter collaboration, study recruitment targeted young adults in Denmark and Brazil, allowing an analysis of the differences between 2 very contrasting national contexts. Through closed-ended questions, the survey examined participants’ willingness to share different data types, data access preferences, reasons for concern, and motivations to contribute. The survey also collected information about participants’ demographics, level of interest in health topics, previous participation in health research, awareness of examples of existing research data repositories, and current attitudes about digital health research repositories. Data analysis consisted of descriptive frequency measures and statistical inferences (bivariate associations and logistic regressions).ResultsThe sample comprises 1017 respondents living in Brazil (1017/1600, 63.56%) and 583 in Denmark (583/1600, 36.44%). The demographics do not differ substantially between participants of these countries. The majority is aged between 18 and 27 years (933/1600, 58.31%), is highly educated (992/1600, 62.00%), uses smartphones (1562/1600, 97.63%), and is in good health (1407/1600, 87.94%). The analysis shows a vast majority were very motivated by helping future patients (1366/1600, 85.38%) and researchers (1253/1600, 78.31%), yet very concerned about unethical projects (1219/1600, 76.19%), profit making without consent (1096/1600, 68.50%), and cyberattacks (1055/1600, 65.94%). Participants’ willingness to share data is lower when sharing personal sensing data, such as the content of calls and texts (1206/1600, 75.38%), in contrast to more traditional health research information. Only 13.44% (215/1600) find it desirable to grant data access to private companies, and most would like to stay informed about which projects use their data (1334/1600, 83.38%) and control future data access (1181/1600, 73.81%). Findings indicate that favorable attitudes toward digital health research repositories are related to a personal interest in health topics (odds ratio [OR] 1.49, 95% CI 1.10-2.02; P=.01), previous participation in health research studies (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.24-2.35; P=.001), and awareness of examples of research repositories (OR 2.78, 95% CI 1.83-4.38; P<.001).ConclusionsThis study reveals essential factors for acceptance and willingness to share personal data with digital health research repositories. Implications include the importance of being more transparent about the goals and beneficiaries of research projects using and re-using data from repositories, providing participants with greater autonomy for choosing who gets access to which parts of their data, and raising public awareness of the benefits of data sharing for research. In addition, future developments should engage with and reduce risks for those unwilling to participate.

Influence of Monitoring and Evaluation System Components on the Performance of National Non-Governmental Organizations (NNGOs): A Case of Global Aim Uganda

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&amp;E) system components on the performance of National Non-Governmental Organizations (NNGOs) in Uganda: A case of Global Aim Uganda. The study focused on the i) influence of organizational structure on the performance of Global Aim Uganda (GAU), ii) influence of routine M&amp;E on the performance of GAU and the influence of utilization of M&amp;E information on the performance of GAU.&#x0D; Methodology: The study used a cross sectional study design employing both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The population of the study consisted of the staff of Global Aim Uganda, implementing partners and project beneficiaries to which stratified random sampling was applied. 164 respondents (100% response rate) were reached for the survey and 15 respondents out of 17 (88.23% response rate) were reached for interviews. Qualitative data were collected using interview guides analyzed using content analysis and presented as text in normative form. Quantitative data was collected using researcher administered questionnaires. Responses were rated on a 5-Likert scale and were coded, cleaned and analyzed for descriptive and inferential statistic using SPSS software (version 20.0) presented in tables.&#x0D; Findings: Correlational analysis showed a significant and positive correlation between performance of Global Aim Uganda and organizational structure (r=.244**, p=.002, &lt;0.05), routine M&amp;E (r=.403**, p=.000, &lt;0.01) and utilization of M&amp;E information (r=.526**, p=.000, &lt;0.01). Results from regression analysis revealed a non-significant and negative influence of organizational structure (β= -.013, p=.873, &gt;0.05) on performance. While, there is a positive and significant influence of routine M&amp;E (β=.199, p=.001, &lt;0.05) and utilization of M&amp;E information (β=.327, p=.000, &lt;0.05) on the performance. The coefficient of determination (r2) between predictor variables and performance of Global Aim Uganda is 0.322 (32.2%).&#x0D; Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: There is need to strengthen the M&amp;E system components. These can be done through improved internal reporting, broadening the functions of the M&amp;E unit, incorporating aspects of M&amp;E in staff roles and responsibilities, conducting project specific baseline surveys, starting to conduct project evaluations and increasing the utilization of M&amp;E information in decision making. Further study should focus on the M&amp;E capacity of the organization.

A qualitative evaluation of an integrated health and livelihood development project for marginalized communities in India.

Background: A community-based intervention was implemented to improve maternal, child, and adolescent health practices, promote financial literacy and enhance livelihood opportunities for young people in marginalized communities. A hypothesis related to our intervention was that peer-led education sessions on health and nutrition in conjunction with community mobilization would change communities’ perceptions towards maternal and child health.Design and methods: This three-year intervention was done in the two districts of Rajasthan, India, namely Nagaur and Pali. The paper explored the changes in perceptions and practices that resulted from this intervention among women and adolescents. We performed a retrospective, qualitative effect evaluation of the project. Focus group discussions with married women (15-49 years) and adolescents (10-19 years), and in-depth interviews with frontline workers and village health committees were done. The qualitative data were translated, coded, and analyzed thematically using an inductive approach.Results: Overall, 4853 women and 8158 adolescents were engaged in the intervention. The study seemed to have brought a change in some of the practices like postnatal care uptake, breastfeeding, and uptake of antenatal care among women, and enhanced awareness about sexual and reproductive health and harms of substance abuse among adolescents was noted. Around 23% and 67% of the young people from Nagaur and Pali, respectively, were linked with jobs in computer training centres, tailoring centres, and beauty parlours.Conclusions: The intervention was perceived successful in improving many health and nutrition practices and livelihood opportunities among project beneficiaries, calling for a comprehensive and multi-dimensional intervention to target social determinants of health. Significance for public health This paper adds evidence on a community-based intervention using peer-led approach to improve maternal, child, and adolescent health and nutrition. This study provides valuable qualitative research to evaluate a community intervention in India. Our article highlights the key maternal and child health issues that can be addressed easily and the issues that are more challenging to achieve. Furthermore, the study sheds light on the need and importance of fostering financial security through empowering youth with skills and financial literacy and help them secure a livelihood.