Factors Influencing Sustainability of Support for Community Initiated Projects in Tanzania: A Case of Communities Surrounding Kilimanjaro National Park

Kimario, Reginald (2025) Factors Influencing Sustainability of Support for Community Initiated Projects in Tanzania: A Case of Communities Surrounding Kilimanjaro National Park. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

Support for Community Initiated Projects (SCIPs) such as those near KINAPA, generate significant park entrance fees and related tourism revenues. These revenues are often shared between national government and the local communities, providing a direct revenue stream to the government while also funding local development projects. This study aimed at assessing factors influencing the sustainability of the Support for Community-Initiated Projects (SCIPs) among the communities surrounding Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA). Specifically, the study examined the level of community participation in SCIPs, determined the influence of available resources on sustainability of SCIPs and analyzed challenges affecting the continuity of SCIPs in the study area. Using a cross-sectional mixed-methods research design, data was collected from 187 respondents, using questionnaires, key informant interviews, and documentary review. Findings showed a low level of community participation in SCIPs during feasibility, planning, implementation, and evaluation stage. Based on the influence of available resources, the findings revealed self-financing schemes, indicating that effective financial management is paramount for sustainability of SCIPs. Additionally, challenges affecting the continuity of support SCIPs included lack of financial support, lack of effective Monitoring and Evaluation and poor community awareness. The study concluded that insufficient community engagement in core project processes, fragile financial structures, and inadequate M&E systems collectively threaten the long-term success of SCIPs among the communities surrounding KINAPA. The government should build leadership capacity, diversifying funding sources, and strengthening financial governance, and participatory M&E frameworks to enhance SCIPs sustainability. Keywords: Sustainability, SCIPs, Community participation, Monitoring and evaluation

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