Assessing the Challenges of Beneficiary Participation in Community-Based Projects: A Case Study of Sustainable Agricultural Project by Caritas Lugazi Diocese.

Abstract

NAKIMULI FLORENCE SSEBUKYU (2009-M091-10012)

Assessing the Challenges of Beneficiary Participation in Community-Based Projects: A Case Study of Sustainable Agricultural Project by Caritas Lugazi Diocese.

The study was carried out to assess the challenges of beneficiary participation in community-based projects. The researcher used a case study as a research design. Eighteen farmer groups, the project team at the diocese, District Agricultural Officers, farmer leaders at association and parish level from excelling model farmers in the project were selected by clustering and purposively sampling in order to represent each of the three parishes in Lugazi diocese that have been beneficiaries of the Sustainable Agriculture Project. The research focused on three major questions: What challenges are faced when beneficiaries participate in community-based projects? What is the effect of these challenges on community-based projects? What strategies can be laid to limit encountering these challenges? To round up the above, the researcher collected views from farmer groups in the three beneficiary parishes of the project under investigation, from the project leadership in Caritas Lugazi and other key stake holders; she used semi-structured interview guide, observation and focus group discussion interview guide preceded by stratified and purposive sampling to gather information. The research findings revealed that there is a relation between the management style of the project and challenges encountered from beneficiary participation under community-based projects. It also revealed that there is a relationship between power and participation of beneficiaries. The major effect of this is that the more the power and the more democratic the management style of the project, the more the effective participation of the beneficiaries while the less the challenges of beneficiary participation. The research recommended that for effective participation of the beneficiaries, there is a need to build the capacity of the community and to hand over the stick to the beneficiaries in that the project staff from the implementing agency remain mere catalysts. Key Words: Projects, Community, Sustainable, Agricultural