An Assessment Of Decentralized Funding And Rural Development In Tanzania: A Case Of Constituency Development Fund (Cdf) In Babati Constituency

ABSTRACT

Constituency Development Catalyst Fund (CDCF) is a decentralized fund that aims at

catalysing developmental projects in constituencies and to reduce poverty at community

level by supporting the community identified projects. This study analysed the extent to

which decentralized funds such as CDCF catalyses development, involves community in

projects identification, implementation, management and implementation.

The objective of the study was to find out whether the community is aware of the

decentralized funds like CDCF found in their localities, if they are fully involved in

project identifications, implementation, management, and monitoring. Moreover to find

out if there is a need of CDCF funds in the community, if the CDCF reduce poverty as

well as the extent to which it is efficient than other decentralized funds in the community.

This is expected to increase access to information regarding CDCF services and improve

follow up rate in CDCF section.

The research was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A case

study design was used for which survey was conducted in Babati rural constituency.

Random sampling and purposive sampling were used as part of sampling design of this

research. Questionnaires with different types of questions were designed and used to

collect the needed data. These were supplemented with interviews, observation and

documentary review. The sample size of the study was 119 respondents. The analysed

data was presented in the form of description, table with frequencies, percentages, and

figures.

The Researcher revealed that most of Babati residents have little awareness of CDCF

projects because they do not participate in identification and implementation of

community development projects. These results to poor management of those projects

which are implemented at their jurisdictions. The study also revealed that the amount of

CDCF distributed to the constituency is not sufficient enough to catalyze community

projects since the constituencies have many projects to accomplish. Given the major

findings above, the researcher recommends that community members, whether influential

or not, should be involved in identification, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of

the CDF projects to boost its success.