Local Community Participation and Sustainability of Projects in Selected Non-Governmental Organisations in Mogadishu, Somalia

ABSTRACT Project sustainability is a major challenge in Somalia. Large number of projects implemented at huge costs often tends to experience difficulties with sustainability. The study was guided by the following objectives; to determine the involvement of the local community, their capacities and abilities to handle responsibility for project sustainability, whether the current project delivery systems for the non-governmental organizations enhances sustainability of projects and highlight the effect that organization’s sustainability strategy on the process of sustainability of projects. Descriptive research method was used for collecting information about the study. The study indicated that the communities were involved mostly at the project brief and handing over stage the community has a feeling of that they do not have enough influence for their development projects. Also the study found that the current project delivery systems for the non-governmental organizations do not enhance sustainability of projects. In conclusion the study discovered community participation and adoption of participative delivery system of projects was evidently an important factor in the success of sustainability of projects. The study recommended based on the findings; involving communities in decision making should be adopted; it will leads to better decisions being made, which are appropriate and more likely to be sustainable. To allow communities to articulate and priorities their needs to enable the organizations to target the most advantage able need for the community.