Community Engagement and Long-Term Sustainability of the Youth Revolving Fund Project in Rwamagana
Nirere Jean Bosco, Francis Ssali and Jubilee Leonard Kakwezi
Mount Kigali University
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7730-5128
Email: jeanbosconirere@gmail.com
Abstract: This study examined the influence of community engagement on the long-term sustainability of the Youth Revolving Fund Project in Rwamagana District, recognizing community participation as a critical determinant of sustainable development outcomes. Reliability testing yielded Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients of 0.872 for participation in planning, 0.891 for monitoring and accountability, 0.884 for resource contribution and commitment, and 0.903 for long-term sustainability, indicating strong internal consistency. Correlation analysis established strong positive and statistically significant relationships between participation in planning and sustainability (r = 0.784, p < 0.01), monitoring and accountability and sustainability (r = 0.861, p < 0.01), and resource contribution and commitment and sustainability (r = 0.826, p < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the three independent variables jointly explained 83.2% of the variation in long-term sustainability (R² = 0.832), while ANOVA results confirmed the overall significance of the model (F = 326.587, p = 0.000). Monitoring and accountability emerged as the strongest predictor of sustainability (β = 0.438, p = 0.000), followed by resource contribution and commitment (β = 0.341, p = 0.000), and participation in planning (β = 0.276, p = 0.000). The study concluded that community engagement significantly influences the long-term sustainability of the Youth Revolving Fund Project and that sustainability is strengthened through effective accountability systems, active stakeholder participation, and strong community commitment. The study recommended strengthening monitoring and accountability mechanisms, institutionalizing participatory planning processes, enhancing beneficiary commitment through resource mobilization initiatives, and integrating community engagement indicators into youth financing policies to improve sustainability outcomes.
