Projects of the people or for the people: A look at villagers' participation in three projects in two villages in Tanzania

• Published in: Public administration and development 1990-04, Vol.10 (2), p.165-178
• Main Authors: Mannion, Joe, Brehony, Eamonn
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Citizen Participation; Development Programs; Political Participation; Tanzania; Villages
• ISSN: 0271-2075; 1099-162X
• DOI: 10.1002/pad.4230100205

The study examines the extent to which villagers participated in three projects, run by nongovernment organizations (NGOs), in the Iringa Region of Tanzania. Particular attention is given to the factors influencing participation and to what might be done to ensure participation in village development projects in Tanzania. Data were obtained from interviews with randomly selected groups, the informal comments of study participants and observations, and experiences of one of the study authors in the study villages. There was very little involvement of the villagers in planning and other decisions related to the three projects. While village government leaders were involved by the project organizers, often they did not reflect villagers' views. Low levels of participation were found in two of the projects; agricultural extension and oxen training, with 54 and 78 per cent respectively in the ‘low’ category. While the ‘ten cell’ (local) leaders were responsible for implementing the projects, very few of them had any input into project decisions. Villagers would like to be more involved in project decisions and, based on the group meetings conducted as part of this study, are prepared to get involved in articulating their needs. Suggestions on how this might be achieved are presented.