INFLUENCE OF EDUCATION DONOR FUNDING PROJECTS ON SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN RWANDA: CASE OF BUGESERA DISTRICT

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of education donor funding projects on socioeconomic development in Bugesera District, Rwanda, with a focus on community development initiatives. The study is significant for understanding the effectiveness of donor funding in driving local socio-economic progress and offers recommendations for improving aid initiatives. The research was grounded by Resource Dependence Theory. A descriptive survey design with both qualitative and quantitative approaches was employed. The target population consisted of 147 respondents from Bugesera District, with a sample size of 108 derived using Slovin's formula. Stratified random sampling was used. Primary data was collected through questionnaires, while secondary data came from project reports, academic literature, and government publications. Qualitative data from interviews and open-ended questions were analyzed thematically, while quantitative data was processed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, and means. Both data types were triangulated to validate findings. The pilot study for this research was conducted in Kicukiro District, where 11 questionnaires were administered to test the research instruments. The analysis revealed that all forms of donor funding positively influenced the socio-economic development of community projects. Education donor funding had a significant impact, with a coefficient of 0.222 (p = 0.020), highlighting its importance for socioeconomic outcomes. The study concludes that education donor funding is crucial for achieving positive socioeconomic outcomes and recommends enhancing the alignment of donor projects with local needs, fostering greater community involvement, and conducting longitudinal studies to assess long-term impacts. These recommendations aim to optimize the effectiveness of aid initiatives and contribute to sustainable development in the region.