Abstract: The main aim of this study was to find out the effect of beneficiary participation in project monitoring and evaluation on project success. As case study of KWAMP project in Kirehe district. Specifically, the study intended to identify types of inputs provided by beneficiaries in the process of M&E of KWAMP project, to determine the stages where beneficiaries are involved in the process M&E of KWAMP project, to establish the methodology used while engaging beneficiaries in M&E process of KWAMP project. Rwanda hosts a large number of local and international Non-governmental organizations who purports to engage in local activities of uplifting the lives of the community. The intended beneficiaries on the other hand have little contribution in monitoring and evaluating the activities of these groups due to lack of empowerment and capacity to do so, neglect and also the secrecy in which the developmental projects are being planned, designed and initiated at the top management level. In the long run the project ends up benefiting the initiators but not the intended beneficiaries, developing difficulties during implementation and sustaining the project due to lack of good will from the beneficiaries. The study did employ a descriptive research design in a case study area. In the case study, the researcher had time to understand problems in a given area of study in preliminary way and relate the variables of the study. The Kirehe Community-based Watershed Management Project (KWAMP) aimed at promoting the market oriented intensification of agricultural systems built on sound environmental practices in order to assist very poor smallholders to overcome their food insecurity and low agricultural incomes, to arrest land degradation and to restore soil fertility. The researcher used questionnaire because of its low cost even the universe is large and widely spread geographically, it is free from bias, respondents have adequate time to give well thought out answers and large samples can be made use of and thus the results can be made more dependable and reliable. Data from the questionnaires were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program using statistics methods of frequencies and percentages, means and Persons product-moment correlation. The findings show that majority of the members are aged between 31-40 years, have either formal or informal education and women are the majority in terms of gender. Most members were aware of the goals and objectives of the project and slightly above average participated in most activities except in developing guideline used in reporting and in reporting the project performance. Most members fully and actively participated in monitoring and evaluating how the finances meant for their project were being used. Such beneficiaries’ participation is recommended for project as they enhance transparency and accountability among all the parties involved.
Keywords: Community project, Community participatory, Community Benefits and Agreements, Monitoring and Evaluation.
Title: Effect of Beneficiaries Participation in Project Monitoring and Evaluation on Project Success
Author: Ibanga Giramata Valentine, Dr Jaya Shukla, Ndabaga Eugene
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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