Stakeholder Participation and Sustainability of Deaf Donor Funded Project in Kicukiro District, Rwanda
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t2557Abstract
This study examined the influence of stakeholder participation on the sustainability of the Deaf Donor-Funded Project in Kicukiro District, Rwanda. Specifically, it assessed stakeholder involvement across four project phases: identification, planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. The study was guided by Arnstein’s Ladder of Participation, Participatory Development Theory, Stakeholder Theory, and Social Inclusion Theory. A mixed-method approach using a descriptive correlational research design was adopted, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. The target population comprised 475 stakeholders, from which a sample of 218 respondents was selected using stratified random sampling based on Yamane’s formula. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires and interview guides, with reliability confirmed through Cronbach’s Alpha (α ≥ 0.7) and validity ensured via expert review and pilot testing. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically using NVivo. Findings revealed that stakeholder participation significantly influenced project sustainability across all phases, with strong positive correlations and high explanatory power (R² ranging from 0.677 to 0.719, p < 0.05). The study concludes that inclusive stakeholder engagement is critical for sustainable project outcomes. It recommends institutionalizing participatory approaches and strengthening stakeholder capacity in donor-funded projects.
Keywords: Stakeholder participation, Project sustainability, Deaf community, Donor-funded project
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