Assessment of the Extent of People’s Participation in Socio-Economic Projects for Community Development in Rwanda. Rubavu District
- July 30, 2020
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: IJRISS, Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue VII, July 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186
Dr. Rwabutogo Zogeye Marcel (PhD), Dr. Benard Nuwatuhaire (PhD)
Kigali Independent University, ULK, Rwanda
Abstract:-The study attempted to assess the extent of people’ participation in socio-economic projects for community development in Rubavu district, Rwanda. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design using both quantitative and qualitative research approaches on 302 respondents. It was revealed that, the extent to which people participate in socio-economic projects is still at the low level of participation because many projects implemented in different sectors are conceived by planners at the district level, thus local people are not participating actively in their own development and do not know the role they should play in these different activities. The study recommended that the enhancement of the level of people’s participation in socio-economic projects for their development is crucial by involving people in the whole process of socio-economic projects since the identification of needs, formulation of projects up to their closure instead of leaving them in the hands of planners, administrators and community elites at the district level. This would be possible by putting more emphasis on Empowered people and Empowered Participatory Governance.
Key words: Participation, Socio-economic projects and community development
I. INTRODUCTION
Rwanda embarked on performing decentralization policy which, was enacted in 2000; to Rwanda’s Government, Decentralization was viewed and is still viewed as important because it gives opportunities to the local citizens, especially at the grassroots level to participate in matters of their concerns like identifying their own problems and propose solutions to them. The Government of Rwanda (GOR) also views decentralization as a way to promote national reconciliation, power-sharing and participatory development at all the local level. (Ministry of local Government and social affairs, 2000).The improvement in the living conditions of a people can be depicted in the meaningful economic growth, reduction of poverty and a wide participation of the people in public life. Thus, Local Communities can and must play a leading role especially in reducing poverty. The other institutions involved in development process should work in partnership with the local communities in order to attain the expected output for development of community. (Community Development policy 2001:3).
