Effect of Project Management Practices on Sustainability of Rural Youth Employment Support Project in Huye District, Rwanda
Godfrey Kasekuro & Ruth Odengo
University of Kigali
Email: godfrey.kewins@gmail.com
Abstract: This study examined the effect of Project Management Practices on the sustainability of the Rural Youth Employment Support Project in Huye District, Rwanda. Specifically, the study examined effect of stakeholder involvement on the sustainability of the Rural Youth Employment Support Project in Huye District. A descriptive and correlational research design was employed using quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study targeted 267 individuals involved in the project, from which a sample of 160 respondents was selected using sampling techniques. Data were collected using questionnaires and interview guides and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and simple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The findings indicated that stakeholder involvement contributes positively to project sustainability through participation in planning and decision-making, stakeholder consultation, involvement of local leaders in implementation and monitoring, and communication between project management and stakeholders. The correlation analysis showed a positive and statistically significant relationship between stakeholder involvement and project sustainability (r = .675, p < .001). Regression analysis further established that stakeholder involvement significantly predicts project sustainability, explaining 45.5% of the variation in project sustainability. The study concluded that stakeholder involvement is an important factor in sustaining the Rural Youth Employment Support Project in Huye District. The study recommends that project management strengthen beneficiary participation in planning and decision-making, involve local authorities in monitoring and implementation, conduct stakeholder consultation meetings, improve communication mechanisms, and develop a sustainability plan before project closure to ensure continued project activities andbenefits.
