Effect of Stakeholder Engagement on Success of a Community-Based Project: A Case of Volcano Belt Water Supply Project under WASH Program in Musanze District, Rwanda
Esther Masengesho and Jean de Dieu Dushimimana
University of Kigali
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1273-7264
Email: estherindwa@gmail.com
Abstract: This study assessed the role of Stakeholder Engagement on success of community- based projects in Rwanda: a case of Volcano Belt Water Supply Project under WASH Program in Musanze District. The study was anchored on stakeholder theory, participatory development theory, and systems theory. The target population consisted of 286 stakeholders involved in implementation and management of community-based WASH projects in Musanze District, including community beneficiaries, local leaders, WASH committee members, project staff, and development partners. A sample size of 167 respondents was determined using the Taro Yamane formula. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis with the help of SPSS. The descriptive results showed favourable and homogeneous assessments for decision making (overall M=4.157, SD=0.404), planning and design (M=4.241, SD=0.452), implementation of actions (M=4.157, SD=0.404), monitoring and evaluation (M=4.206, SD=0.414), and project success (M=4.157, SD=0.404). Stakeholder involvement in decision making had a positive and statistically significant effect on project success (B=0.292, t=4.787, p=0.000); planning and design also made a statistically significant contribution (B=0.202, t=3.885, p=0.000); involvement in implementation actions strengthened project success (B=0.242, t=3.408, p=0.001); and monitoring and evaluation remained a statistically significant predictor (B=0.197, t=3.031, p=0.003). The combined model explained 83.7% of the variation in project success. The study concluded that community-based WASH projects benefited when stakeholders influenced decisions, shaped plans, supported implementation and participated in performance review. It recommended institutionalising documented participation arrangements across the complete project cycle.
