Participation In Development Projects Research Articles

Constructive Strategies for Enhancing Public Engagement in County Governance: A Focus on Nandi, Kenya, 2024.

Abstract: This article examined the effectiveness of constructive strategies for engaging the public in county governance in Nandi County, Kenya, 2024. It highlighted that the legal and institutional framework has not ensured public participation as intended by the Kenya 2010 constitution. The study’s objectives included examining the effectiveness of constructive strategies for engaging the public in county governance in Nandi County. It utilised Adam Smith’s Rational Choice Model and employed a concurrent mixed research design, incorporating purposive sampling. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviews, with secondary data from document analysis. Analysis was done using a statistical package for the social sciences for descriptive statistics, and qualitative data was processed through thematic analysis. Devolution in Kenya, implemented in 2013, shifted responsibilities to county governments to enhance transparency and public participation. It allowed citizens to elect local leaders and engage in decision-making, promoting responsive governance. The County Government Act (2012) emphasises timely access to information and the role of non-state actors in fostering citizen involvement. The findings revealed that the most common mode of collaboration was electing project leaders. However, many individuals were unaware of the importance of participation, leading to low engagement, especially in project identification and implementation. The primary source of information on development projects was barazas (public meetings). The study concluded that public participation in development projects is below desired levels as per the County Government Act and recommended that Nandi County should improve public engagement across all sectors for a more significant impact on constructive strategies.

Perceptions of Conditions that Characterize Projects as a Development Strategy: A Phenomenographical Study of Eleven Swedish Preschool Development Projects

AbstractThe present study focuses joint school and university development work in preschool-projects try to increase educational quality. The aim of this study was to explore perceived conditions and perceptions of projects among participants in development projects in eleven preschools. In addition, we were interested in the perceived outcomes of the projects. All projects were aimed at strengthening the preschool principal’s and staff’s competence regarding children’s language and emergent literacy development. The studied projects lasted up to three years. The results are based on phenomenographical analyses of thirteen focus group interviews with principals and staff, including eighty-eight participants, during the project period. Follow-up interviews were conducted with twenty-four representatives from the participating preschools one year after the closure of the projects. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed. Field notes from visits in the preschools contributed to the empirical material. Our findings indicate that the perceptions of a project, contributed to the understanding of a project as loaded with expectations that the development project is limited in time and that it will add extra-curricular work demanding extra resources, which led to the perception that when the project is over, development work is over. The word project, thus, per se functioned as a limiting factor, if on-going development work, was aimed for. Lack of anchoring the development work in the local context was perceived as problematic, with effects for the participants’ experience of agency. Furthermore, difficulties in managing large staff turnover during the project was perceived to cause the development work to come to a stand-still. Active leadership, and shared responsibility were perceived as favorable factors for the progress of the development work. Our conclusions encompass participants’ perceptions of adjustment to the local context, shared responsibility and seeing development work as exceeding time limits as vital components of successful development work.

Determinants of Youth Participation in Community Development Projects in Limuru Subcounty, Kiambu County, Kenya

Government policy had been geared towards addressing youth unemployment and enhancing participation in development projects. However, the effect of youth involvement in community development projects had not been substantial, posing a challenge to the youth, government agencies, and the community at large. The study examined the determinants of youth participation in community development projects in Limuru subcounty. Specifically, it sought to determine the effects of socio-cultural factors, education level, information accessibility, and access to finance on youth participation in these projects. The study was underpinned by Arnstein’s theory of community participation. The descriptive research design targeted 38,410 youth in Limuru subcounty with a sample size of 395. Stratified sampling across five wards, proportionate sampling determined youths per ward. Simple random sampling selected participants. Data was collected through questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Inferential statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis were utilized. Research in Limuru subcounty reveals that socio-cultural factors have both positive and insignificant effects on youth participation in community projects (β = 0.491, p = 0.110). Higher education levels positively and significantly impact youth involvement (β = 0.568, p = 0.000). Information accessibility plays a positive and significant role (β = 0.071, p = 0.110), along with access to finance (β = 0.568, p = 0.000).The study concludes that youth education level influences involvement in community projects. Awareness campaigns and advocacy programs are key in promoting youth involvement in community projects. The study recommends that community leaders and stakeholders should consider the effect of youth attitudes, perceptions and religious affiliations when designing and implementing development initiatives. County and national development programs should focus on promoting a positive attitude towards loans among the youth, while providing guidance on managing collateral and securing funding.

Enhancing Community Participation in Local Development Projects: The Bangladesh Context

This paper focuses on developing an approach for effective community participation in local development projects. Researchers conducted a field study in Sunamganj district, one of the most vulnerable areas in Bangladesh, and collected information from 54 respondents, including Union Parishads (UP) chairpersons and members, secretaries, committee members, and local beneficiaries through interviews and FGDs using purposive sampling. Researchers also collected relevant documents from the Union Parishad (project plan, evaluation report, and annual progress report) to compare the information obtained from the participants in the field and analyzed them using the thematic analysis method. Study findings revealed that although UP is considered a close-knit community-based organization due to the nature of its development work and geographic location, inclusive decentralization and a democratic environment have not been established at the local level institutions to enhance meaningful community participation in development projects. This deficiency is attributed to outsider interferences, nepotism, lack of knowledge and information, top-down bureaucratic decisions, gender discrimination, and corruption. It is believed that the model of a meaningful decentralized participation system would help mobilize the comprehensive local development process.

An Enemy from the East or Friends with Benefits: An Evaluation of Africa’s Trade Relations with China under BRICS

Over the past decade, Africa’s trading relationship with China has been growing exponentially. Most African countries have welcomed the trading policies and opportunities offered by China over other Western superpowers. With the emergence of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) bloc, and South Africa leading other African countries to join this grouping, Africa’s trading relationship will be greatly influenced by China and BRICS. Consequently, the key issue now is whether China and BRICS are re-scrambling for Africa’s untapped resources or whether the relationship will create mutual benefits for both sides. Using a qualitative research approach, this article examined China’s interest in Africa and engages the critical question of whether such a relationship will benefit the people of Africa, or it is just another form of neo-colonisation. The study used a desk research approach with data collected from secondary sources such as articles, literature surveys, the internet and other electronic sources dealing with Africa’s trade relations with China. The article concludes that the future of African trade will be dominated by China and BRICS given their continuously growing influence and participation in development projects in the continent, despite accusations of exploitation and abuse by Chinese companies in some parts of Africa. This paper adds to existing literature on enhancing Africa’s trading relationship with China and BRICS. Keywords: African trading with China, Africa and BRICS, South Africa leading Africa into BRICS, Colonisation, Re-scramble for Africa

Assessment of Cultural factors Influencing Youth Participation in Community Development Projects in Turkana County-Kenya

The interplay of local and international cultures enhances people’s ability to adapt to external influences of sustainable action that can support sustainable global development programs and processes. Traditionally, Turkana society has well-defined gender roles that appear to contradict inclusive and participatory approaches determined by government projects and interventions. Furthermore, young people are looking for more economic opportunities and more property rights; however, their participation in community development projects remains low compared to that of older people. The study sought to assess the influence of culture ​​on youth participation in community development projects. Data were collected from a sample of 381 respondents using descriptive design research methods. The study revealed that gender roles and hierarchical interpersonal relationships in the local community are major impediments towards community participation in development projects. The author recommends that the central role of youth in participatory planning should be promoted through the creation of enabling environments that would adopt a holistic approach to addressing the political and sociocultural needs of the youth

Perceived benefits and barriers to community participation in development projects – The case of Hazina ya Maendeleo ya Pwani on the Kenya coast

Benefits and barriers to participating in community development projects as perceived by participants were studied in coastal counties of Kenya through a World Bank-funded initiative known as Hazina ya Maendeleo ya Pwani (HMP). Primary data were collected from 326 randomly selected HMP beneficiaries using questionnaires. Data analysis using SPSS prioritized perceived benefits of participation as: acquisition of additional financial support (94 %); development of new skill (90.8 %); enhanced ability to meet own individual needs (90.8 %); development of valuable professional relationships (90.8 %); acquisition of useful knowledge (84.2 %); increased utilization of own expertise (77.9 %) heightened public profile (77.2 %); ability to contribute to community (71.9 %); ability to have greater impact (68.8 %); and enhanced ability to effect public policy (49.1 %). Perceived barriers were prioritized as: feeling unwelcome (89.4 %); lack of information or not knowing (87.9 %); feeling unable to make a difference (87.9 %); demanding work schedule at home or office (69.7 %); inadequate transportation (50.8 %); and concern for safety (43.2 %). The study concluded that while the perceived benefits still strengthen the argument for active involvement of communities, development practitioners need to incorporate “what’s in it for me?” as an incentive for participation in future. They should also develop context-specific strategies to overcome participation barriers.

PROCESS AND ECONOMIC-MATHEMATICAL FORMALIZATION OF CONSTRUCTION ENTERPRISES’ ADMINISTRATION INDICATORS

The article considers the main approaches to the rehabilitation ability of construction companies, which should be identified based on a set of individual aspects of the construction company as a participant in investment and construction project and identification of synergetic properties to restore financial stability based on a holistic approach to such assessment. The purpose of this article is to identify the factors that should ensure the rehabilitation ability of the enterprise in the long run. Four groups of indicators can signal in advance the rehabilitation ability state of the construction company. These are indicators that characterize: rehabilitation ability of staff (rehabilitation ability of the project team, rehabilitation potential of staff) (К1); rehabilitation ability of the existing business model for the period of evaluation of the construction company (К2); rehabilitation favorability of environment of the investment and construction project (К3); rehabilitation potential of the construction company (К4). Identification of construction companies rehabilitation ability level is proposed to be carried out based on the calculation of the cumulative indicator, which is determined in six stages: 1) analysis of the dynamics of individual indicators of enterprise activity; 2) calculation and analysis of pairwise correlation coefficients between each of the cumulative indicators of rehabilitation ability and a set of indicators; 3) forming of four local correlation-regression models of the cumulative indicators’ dependence on the most influential explanatory factors from the set formed at the previous step; 4) creating a comprehensive cumulative indicator of the rehabilitation ability of the construction company I; 5) calculation and analysis of pairwise correlation coefficients between each of the cumulative indicators of rehabilitation ability as an explanatory factor and the cumulative indicator of rehabilitation ability I; 6) construction of a correlation-regression model of dependence of I on indicators from the set. Then all created models are combined into a single tool that can detect the threat of bankruptcy of the construction company, taking into account the functional-informational, financial, operational links between the participants of the construction in investment and construction projects. Assessing the rehabilitation ability of construction companies based on four aspects of development success (staff, business model, development project environment, and competitiveness factors) not only identify the strengths and weaknesses of participants of construction project but also identify areas of priority for control, correction and other rehabilitation actions for participants in development projects.

Perceptions about the Factors that Influence Public Participation in Rural Kenya

The aim of this study was to establish the factors influencing participation of the public in development projects in Wote-Nziu ward in the context of a devolved governance system. The objectives of the study were to establish the impact of socio-economic factors, political factors and demographic characteristics on public participation in development projects. The study sample was comprised 85 respondents sampled from the general population within Wote/Nziu ward. In addition, 15 Key informants were drawn from Project Management Committees (PMC) and 9 focus group discussions were with the committee members drawn from the various projects within the ward that are initiated and implemented by the County Government of Makueni. Analysis of the data collected, that is, correlation between independent and dependent variables revealed positive values of correlation coefficients (R). The study findings revealed that demographic characteristics, socioeconomic and political factors influence the level of public participation in development activities of the residents of Wote-Nziu Ward in Makueni County. Comparatively, however, political factors have more influence on public participation. The study concludes that residents and the County Government of Makueni have embraced public participation as a tool to meaningfully engage in development initiatives in a devolved system of governance.

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

Participation in Community Development Micro Projects in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: Implications for Social Work Education and Practice

This study sought to investigate factors militating against community participation in development projects executed under the Micro Projects Programme and how to reduce such factors to the barest minimum in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. A questionnaire, an in-depth interview (IDI) guide and a focus group discussion (FGD) guide were used for data collection. Borehole water, generator-house, health centres, staff quarters and markets were the projects executed. Inadequate devolution of power to the grassroots, among others, was the major problem that hindered involvement of community members in the development process of the Micro Projects Programme in the study areas. To enhance active participation of beneficiaries in the development process of the programme, suggestions are proffered.

Effects of Negative Societal Reaction to Alcoholism on Alcoholics’ Participation in Development Project in Nyahururu Sub County, Laikipia County, Kenya

Many societies across the globe have been using alcohol for religious, social, cultural, and recreational purposes for ages. Over the period, societies have come to recognize the negative outcomes of alcohol misuse to individual users, their families, and the society in general. Different societies therefore adopted various ways of controlling alcohol misuse, mainly guided by a society’s cultural and social norms. Norms related to alcohol use and misuse therefore plays an important role in determining how a specific society reacts to alcohol use and abuse. Negative societal reaction to alcoholism and alcoholics influences levels of alcoholics’ interaction with other members of the society as well as their access to information on development projects in their localities. Alcoholics’ reaction on societal sanctions related to alcoholism and alcoholics determines as well determines their level of marginalization. Level of alcoholics’ social interaction and access to information, influences their participation in development project. This article explores effects of negative societal reaction to alcoholism on alcoholics’ participation in development projects in Nyahururu Sub County, Kenya. It outlines the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the study with a view of creating awareness on identified effects and recommends ways of minimizing alcoholics’ marginalization in development projects.

Who’s learning from whom? Grassroots International NGOs learning from communities in development projects

ABSTRACT Discussions surrounding participation in development projects often frame knowledge exchanges in a unilateral manner. However, in the implementation of participatory activities by grassroots international nongovernmental organizations (GINGOs), community members frequently serve not only as beneficiaries but have essential impacts on the organizations guiding these participatory engagements. In this study, we examine these reciprocal engagement dynamics through a case study analysis of GINGOs based in the US working on development projects with communities in the Global South. Our analysis details ways these organizations are learning and applying knowledge from communities, and the importance of addressing questions of beneficiaries and power dynamics.

Empowerment as one sees it: assessment of empowerment by women participants of development projects

ABSTRACT One criticism of how women’s empowerment is operationalised in development interventions is the lack of consideration of its context specificity. This quantitative study investigates how women participants in development projects in Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam perceive the meaning of empowerment and the associated positive effects of participating in empowerment activities. The findings indicate that women’s ideas of empowerment differ according to their cultural, economic and social contexts as well as from donor-driven definitions. Both similar and distinct positive effects of participating in empowerment activities are felt, highlighting the importance of incorporating what women prioritise when planning empowerment projects.

Community Participation in Development Projects: A Study of Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District in Ghana

This study accessed the extent of community participation in development projects within the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District of Ghana. Development projects selected were water systems, market structures and KVIP’s. This was a descriptive survey research design which used semi-structured interviews, a focus group discussion guide and observation checklist to gather data from 72 respondents from six selected communities within the districts. The findings indicate that both Development Agencies and beneficiaries ‘participated’ in the development projects as a means to an end. The end to the Development Agents was to meet externally induced welfare targets and to the communities, the end being meeting immediate socio-economic deficiencies. Both choose a course of action that best suited their interest, as explained by the rational choice theory. Participation in the district is functional. It is recommended that the District Assembly should sensitize the communities on their roles as channels in the decentralization process to encourage them to fully participate in the development process. Additionally, development Agents empower the communities to make project sustainability a possibility.

Evaluating Participation: Empirical Analysis of Recipient and Beneficiary Engagement with IFAD International Development Projects

Active participation of the recipient governments and the beneficiaries is an essential factor in carrying out international development projects. Despite ongoing theoretical discussion on the effects of participation by the recipient governments and the beneficiaries in international development projects, there has been relatively little empirical analysis of the effects of their participation in development projects. To fill this gap, this study examines the relationship between the participation of the recipient governments and beneficiaries, and projects outcomes conducted by IFAD by validating two hypotheses. First, the higher financial contribution rate of the recipient governments results in lower evaluation results of international development projects. Second, the higher financial contribution rate of the beneficiaries leads to higher evaluation results of international development projects. In order to verify these two hypotheses, this study analyzed 166 of the IFAD Project Completion Report Validations. We did ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analyses for the panel data made from them. As a result of the analyses, the inverse relationship between the participation of the recipient governments and the outcome of the assessment holds true. On the other hand, the higher involvement of the beneficiaries leads to better results in the assessment. The results reaffirm prior research that suggested that the involvement of the recipient governments has a negative impact on project performance and that the participation of the beneficiaries has a positive impact on the projects performance. This study adopted ”financial contributions” as the variable to analyze the participation of the recipient governments and the beneficiaries; since it utilized IFAD data, the research focuses on the agriculture sector in terms of international development cooperation. The applicability of these findings in other areas of international development cooperation therefore to be tested in future research.

Exploring power and participation through informal livestock knowledge networks

Participatory epidemiology programmes aim to collect data by engaging local communities in knowledge sharing around livestock health. Critics of participatory approaches often cite the extractive nature of data collection and unequal power relations between researcher and researched as at odds with the original vision of participatory programming. This paper starts from the position that rural livestock owners are situated within multiple overlapping webs of relationships through which they exchange disease information and access resources. Participatory programmes are suggested as weaving new threads into these wider networks in a process that may be accepted or rejected by indigenous actors. Qualitative interviews were used to gather empirical data on the exchange of information around livestock health knowledge through indigenous relationships and a Participatory Disease Surveillance (PDS) programme within a Gabra pastoralist community in Northern Kenya. Subsequent analysis identified four pathway typologies; this paper provides a qualitative comparative analysis of each to explore the nature of participation within the study population. The paper concludes that social science approaches have a key role to play in understanding how relationships within and between indigenous and development actors can influence participation in development projects.

Factors Affecting the Adoption of Agroforestry Practices: Insights from Silvopastoral Systems of Colombia

In Colombia, one-third of the land is devoted to cattle farming, which is one of the main drivers of deforestation, land degradation, loss of biodiversity, and emissions of greenhouses gases. To mitigate the environmental impacts of cattle farming, agroforestry practices have been extensively promoted with mixed results. Despite research and extension efforts over the last 20-year period, agroforestry systems still involve a complex knowledge process among stakeholders that needs to be addressed. To understand the drivers of cattle farmers’ behavior with regard to adopting agroforestry practices, we apply a double hurdle regression for different social, economic and productive information to capture the decision to adopt and the intensity of the adoption as a joint decision of such practices. For this purpose, we use data from a survey (implemented as part of an international project) administered to 1605 cattle farmers located in five agro-ecological regions in Colombia. Our dependent variables are defined by the adoption of four agroforestry practices: scattered trees, trees and shrubs for forage production, forestry plantations, and management of native forest. The adoption decision of agroforestry practices was influenced by the access and use of credit, location, and the implemented livestock system. Herd size and participation in development projects that involved tree planting had a positive influence on the adoption and intensity of agroforestry practices, while the variable associated with presence of water springs tended to boost the intensity of adoption. The diffusion of these technologies might be increased among farmers who have adopted and who are potential adopters, and social capital and networking can play a crucial role in spreading agroforestry as sustainable practice.

Využití systémů Galileo a BeiDou v AČR

The article studies possibilities of utilization of Global Navigational Satellite Systems Galileo and BeiDou in the Armed forces of the Czech Republic. It analyses its advantages, weaknesses and assets the army. The study is grounded in knowledge and experience of the Czech military geographic service and supports it with comparisons with already implemented systems GPS and GLONASS. European project Galileo brings for the most part independence on GPS and direct influence of the Czech Republic. Chinese system BeiDou provides individual alternative, although with limited access. In combination with multiconstelation receivers, they can substantially complement the current structure, make more accurate measurements and lower vulnerability to jamming and spoofing/deception. AČR may utilise benefits of the systems with modernisation of devices a by participation in development projects of global navigation.

Local Communities Participation In China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC): The Case Of Balochistan

In development, community participation has become a crucial aspect to encourage community interest, ownership and sustainability of projects. Development by itself relates with human development, therefore the participation of the people in their own development is very essential. This mega Chinese plan is to spend 62 billion US dollars to build China Pakistan Economic corridor and the Gwadar port. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a collection of development projects, which is intended to rapidly expand and upgrade Pakistani infrastructure, as well as deepen and broaden economic links between Pakistan and China. According to Government of Pakistan, the corridor Gwadar-Kashger would be a game-changer for Pakistan and will certainly put the province of Balochistan in new ranks of development sector. This research paper discusses the involvement and participation of local communities in CPEC project in Pakistan using a case study of local communities in Balochistan. The study examines two key opinions: community membership in the CPEC decision implementing process; and the contribution of CPEC project towards Balochistan development. The study includes interviews and document analysis. A sample of 100 multi-stakeholders (ordinary community members, politicians, Government officials, NGOs representatives, fishermen and businessmen) will be selected through a pre-structured interview schedule using random and purposive techniques for primary data. The data will be analyzed with the help of Chi-Square. The findings of the study may help to policymakers, project experts and national and international organizations to introduce new participatory approaches to ensure local communities participation in development projects, particularly in the CPEC project.