Impact of community development fund in growth and expansion of community empowerments and livelihoods projects: a case of Makonde Constituency (Mash West Province) · Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author

Nyarugo, Sharon B.

Title

Impact of community development fund in growth and expansion of community empowerments and livelihoods projects: a case of Makonde Constituency (Mash West Province)

Abstract

The study examined the impact of community development fund in the growth and expansion of community empowerment and livelihood projects (CDF) in Makonde constituency of Mashonaland West Province. In 2010, the community development fund was initiated in Zimbabwe with the purpose of providing local authorities with discretionary funds whose utilization is sorely for the provision of social services. CDF utilization was expected to occur within a socially inclusive participatory framework. Since 2010, all the districts in Zimbabwe have been eligible to receive the funds (Ministry of Local Governance and Housing). The major objective of the study was to assess how community development fund contributes in the growth and expansion of community empowerments and livelihood projects and the level of community participation in constituency development funded projects in Makonde constituency. The general objectives of the study were; to find out the nature of community participation in the identification, implementation and monitoring of CDF projects in Makonde constituency; to establish factors accounting for the level of community participation in CDF projects in Makonde constituency. The study used a qualitative research methodology. The study found that community participation takes on different stages of CDF project processes. The nature of community participation for the majority of local communities in CDF projects is generally limited to consultation and use of unskilled labour. Local communities are generally not actively involved in project identification, implementation and monitoring processes. The study found that the factors accounting for the level community participation in CDF projects included lack of awareness and knowledge of CDF, lack of knowledge about the right and opportunities for participation, inadequate information dissemination, poverty and poor community attitudes towards participation. Therefore, there were recommendations noted through the study which include, that the government and NGOs should strengthen community awareness on the value of the role of the locals in rural or community development through education and training.

Date

March 2025

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Community Development Fund

Community Empowerments

Livelihoods Projects

Supervisor

Dr. Chipaike