COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND SUSTAINABILITY OF POVERTY REDUCTION PROJECTS IN TAITA TAVETA COUNTY. A CASE OF VILLAGE ENTERPRISE ORGANIZATION PROJECTS
Abstract
This study investigated the participation and sustainability of poverty reduction initiatives in Taita Taveta County, focusing specifically on the level of community involvement at various stages of the projects conducted by VEO. This study examined the critical factors influencing project sustainability, with a particular focus on stakeholder engagement, capacity building, decision-making processes, and community feedback mechanisms. To guide the investigation, the study evaluated Treseder's Degree of Participation theory and Stakeholder theory. A correlational study design was employed to determine the degree of link between the identified variables. A sample population of 181 respondents was drawn from selected projects and external stakeholders in Taita Taveta County. The main instruments for data collection included interview guides and self-administered questionnaires. The findings revealed that active stakeholder involvement during the planning phase significantly enhances project outcomes and community satisfaction by fostering a sense of ownership and addressing local needs. Capacity building emerged as a pivotal determinant of sustainability, as targeted initiatives improved community skills and knowledge, directly contributing to project success. Conversely, decision-making processes displayed a complex relationship with sustainability, highlighting challenges in effectively engaging all stakeholders, particularly marginalized groups. Furthermore, effective community feedback mechanisms were identified as essential for promoting accountability and responsiveness, thereby strengthening project sustainability. The study recommends structured stakeholder engagement frameworks, tailored capacity-building programs, inclusive decision-making practices, and robust feedback systems to enhance project sustainability. Future research should focus on the long-term impacts of stakeholder engagement, the efficacy of capacity-building components, the dynamics of decision-making frameworks, and the role of technology in community feedback, while also considering comparative studies across various contexts to identify best practices.
Key Words: Stakeholder Engagement, Capacity Building, Participation, Community Feedback
CITATION: Mwangi, S. W., & Mutuku, M. (2025). Community participation and sustainability of poverty reduction projects in Taita Taveta County. A case of village enterprise organization projects. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 12 (1), 376 – 399. http://dx.doi.org/10.61426/sjbcm.v12i1.3193
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.61426/sjbcm.v12i1.3193
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