The development of an integrative framework and capability maturity model for the planning and implementation of sustainable rural development projects

Over the years, development partners and national governments in developing countries have invested heavily in implementing development projects in rural areas. This is in a bid to ensure that economic activities in these areas including Nigeria, are promoted and the general livelihood of rural dwellers improved in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which came into effect in 2015. However, there have been recorded failures in the implementation of rural development projects, which have led to the nonuse and inaccessibility of these projects. The aim of this research was to conceptualize and develop an integrative framework for the planning and implementation of sustainable rural development projects so as to drastically reduce the failure of rural development projects.The scope of the research covers rural development projects in Nigeria. A mixed methods research approach was used for the research work, including qualitative and quantitative research approaches which assisted in identifying current practices, causes of project failure and appropriate concepts for developing an integrative framework. Findings from the literature review were used to create an initial conceptual framework for rural development projects, after which the qualitative and quantitative studies were conducted.The findings from the study confirm that, indeed, rural development projects fail in Nigeria and this failure is as a result of weak planning, poor implementation and monitoring of rural development projects; lack of sustainability plans; ineffective stakeholder engagement; and a non-inclusive approach to implementing rural development projects. It was found that the level of involvement of community members in rural development projects is relatively low. Additionally, it was confirmed that the government (who are the major project implementers) not only have the most impact on the sustainability of a project but are also the most responsible for project failure. The findings from the study were used to refine the integrative framework. The developed framework and capability maturity model were tested to ascertain its applicability in serving as a guide for rural development projects implemented in Nigeria. The key elements in the framework proposed were a proper guide to project sustainability, adequate planning and monitoring, stakeholder involvement, community engagement, and social inclusion. Apart from the benefit of the framework and capability maturity model to be applied across different developing regions, the framework is novel and useful because it cuts across community-based projects i.e. projects centered on improving communities’ livelihood