This research sought to uncover the factors affecting the success of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) interventions in achieving sustainable rural development in Zimbabwe, citing the case of Mwenezi Rural District. The research was chosen to find possible solutions and lay recommendations to address the underlying factors which hinder non-governmental organisations from fulfilling their development objective of achieving sustainable rural development and at the same time to pave a way for the achievement of global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. A mixed research methodology was applied for this research. Both qualitative and quantitative research designs were adopted in this study. To enhance the validity and reliability, both probability and nonprobability sampling techniques were employed. A total of 50 respondents were sampled out of a target population of 295, and these involved 25 community members, 6 government officials, 5 NGO representatives, 9 ward level local leaders and 5 extension workers. Research instruments used were questionnaires, interviews with both open-ended and closed ended questions, and also observations.
Empirical evidence from this research revealed that nature of Zimbabwean politics; socio-cultural and religious issues; the legal framework (government policies); poor roads and communication network; community attitudes; poor project monitoring and evaluation; lack of meaningful community participation; corruption; poor coordination among the development partners and lack of
adequate funds among others contributed significantly to the failure of NGO interventions in achieving sustainable rural development in Mwenezi district. In addition, the research found that most NGOs‟ strategies in Mwenezi mostly focus on relief aid than developmental aid. Also when addressing poverty, NGOs use the trickle down approach than the bottom up approach. Therefore to address the factors affecting the success of non-governmental organisations interventions in achieving sustainable rural development in Mwenezi district and Zimbabwe at large, recommendations were laid down in this research that the government as the regulating authority should create conducive and enabling environment for NGOs to successfully implement development initiatives, and also empower locals not to just wait for NGO assistance but also strive to make ends meet. NGOs need to conduct solid baseline surveys, embrace agricultural research and technology, and to monitor and evaluate their projects. Finally, the research also recommends NGOs to use the participatory approach as well as the sustainable livelihoods approach in order to achieve sustainable rural development.
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