Participation in monitoring and evaluation and empowerment of communities in decision making on development projects: a case of Selected TASAF Sub projects Phase II in Bagamoyo District, Tanzania
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2013
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This study sought to investigate participation in M&E and empowerment of communities in decision making on development projects. Fifteen sub projects were selected from fifteen villages in Bagamoyo District and were used as a case study. The study employed a sample of 87 respondents. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches of data collection. The instruments used for data collection were questionnaires, interview, observation of sub projects and focus group discussion.Findings revealed that despite TASAF policy of empowering communities to demand, implement and monitor services; community participation in M&E was inadequately implemented. This is due to the fact that communities had inadequate knowledge on monitoring and evaluation systems. Moreover, local communities did not participate in project designing. There was inadequate sharing of information between TASAF and communities and among communities themselves. There was inappropriate training which did not help communities to write timely reports and demand information. Furthermore, it was revealed that communities participated interactively in the sense that they identified sub project needs, implementation and M&E although they participated more in the implementation. The study also found transparency and accountability, a sense of ownership and proper allocation of resources were among benefits of participating community in M&E. Extended participatory rural appraisal was employed in which focus group discussion, interview and field observation were used throughout sub project cycle.The study recommends that the government, through TASAF, should have comprehensive monitoring and evaluation to ensure local communities are more active in making decision. In addition, more funds should be injected in empowering and building capacity to communities through training and technical support pertaining to monitoring and evaluation. Time was among of the challenges hindered some communities to participate in TASAF phase II.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF HD75.9.132)
Keywords
Economic development projects, Evaluation, Citizen participation, Tasaf, Bagamoyo district, Tanzania
Citation
Iddi, B (2013) Participation in monitoring and evaluation and empowerment of communities in decision making on development projects: a case of Selected TASAF Sub projects Phase II in Bagamoyo District, Tanzania.Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam.