Sustainability of community-based development projects in Tanzania: a case of drilled wells projects in Kondoa and Chamwino districts of Dodoma region

PhD ThesisDespite institutional and policy reforms to enhance sustainability of drilled wells projects in Dodoma Region, the sustainability of those projects in the region remains a major challenge. Therefore, the research was done with the general objective to examine sustainability of community-based drilled wells projects in two districts of Dodoma Region Tanzania. The specific objectives were to: determine factors affecting sustainability of community-based drilled wells projects initiative process, assess the extent of stakeholders’ participation in different stages of selected drilled wells projects, and determine social, economic and environmental factors influencing the sustainability of selected community-based drilled wells projects. One functional and one non-functinal drilled wells projects were puposively selected from Chanwino and Kondoa Districts based on functionality. Systematic sampling was used to select the sample of households. A cross-sectional research design was adopted involving eight focus group discussions and 13 key informant interviews. A structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of 400 household heads. Quantitative data were subjected to descriptive analysis, while non-parametric tests were used to test for association among variables. The results showed that the projects were initiated by external actors in a top-down approach and later on handed over to communities without sufficient social preparation. There was no evidence of full participation key stakeholders in the project cycle especially in decision making. Social factors were found to influence sustainability of drilled wells projects than economic and environmental factors. In view of the findings, it is concluded that during initiation process, important steps were neglected. Handing over was done without appropriate exit strategies. Hence, it is recommended to balance between top-down and bottom-up interventions. Moreover, LGAs should establish collaborative relationship with the private sector and local communities to sustain drilled wells projects.Local Governement Training Institute (LGTI