Effect of Project Design on Sustainability of World Vision Community Development Projects in North Rift Kenya

Abstract

Sustainability of the funded projects is of utmost importance if the impact of funding these projects is to be realized. Despite project feasibility studies being done prior to commencement of the projects, sustainability is still not guaranteed. Thus, the main purpose of the study was to identify the effect of project design on sustainability of World Vision community development projects in North Rift Kenya. This study was guided by systems theory. The research used cross sectional survey design. The target population was 1500 respondents’ four County project managers, 20 project officers, 40 project coordinators, 20 accountants, 240 CDF facilitators and 240 community members. The researcher adopted stratified, simple random and purposive sampling technique to select respondent. The sample size was 316 respondents comprising of four County project managers, 11 project officers, 22 project coordinators, 11 accountants, 133 CDF facilitators and 133 community members to participate in the study. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics included frequencies and percentages. Regression was used to test the hypotheses. Descriptive statistics included frequencies and percentages. Regression was used to test the hypotheses. Project design had a significant influence on sustainability of World Vision community development projects (β1=0.403, p<0.05). To improve Kenya’s rating on sustainability, the government needs to focus on the training of beneficiaries on sustainability so that they can take full control of the project when the financial support has come to an end. In addition, incorporation of sustainability into project design, and provision of support beyond the project completion is critical in ensuring that World Vision projects are sustainable.