Community Pariticipation in the Sustainability of Development Programs: A Case study oF NRSP in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , Pakistan

Abstract

This research endeavour on Community Participation and the Sustainability of Development Programs: A Case study of National Rural Support Program (NRSP) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was empirically carried out on an NGO namely the National Rural Support Program. The researcher adopted case study method to know how NRSP perform developmental interventions and how the decisions are taken regarding development in the target area. Staff members of NRSP and members of community organizations of four operational districts were interviewed using interview guide. A total of 84 respondents were selected through convenient sampling technique and 10 respondents were selected from each office of NRSP. In addition out of 435 community organizations 05% from each of the stratum was selected that constituted 16 male organizations and 07 female organizations. In this regard, 02 members from each organization were selected that constituted a total of 46 sample size. The study analysed the role and importance of community participation in the sustainability of developmental programs in NRSP interventions in the selected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It also critically examines the role of traditional leaders’ i.e. micro level forces influencing community participation in the sustainability of developmental programs. The study concludes that the government co-opted NRSP for carrying out those activities which the government was supposed to perform. For this purpose, the government arranged funds from the international donor organizations or provided funds through other channels like Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF). In this way the donor agencies compelled NRSP to achieve the pre-determined targets in a specific time. Furthermore the micro level forces were also constraint in the way of community participation due to their socio-political and economic position. They had say in all the affairs of the community and no developmental activity could be launched without their due consent. In this way, they monopolized and hijacked the NRSP interventions for their self-interest. The study summarised that due to the influence of traditional leaders and the pressure of donor organizations, NRSP has adopted a target oriented approach and involved the community in the Project Cycle i.e. planning, implementation and monitoring of developmental activities for fulfilling the donor’s demand. In addition, due to cultural constraints and male dominancy women could not meaningfully participate in the development planning, implementation and monitoring. Thus NRSP has failed to meaningfully involve the target communities in the project cycle of developmental interventions and achieve sustained results which are the ultimate goal of participatory development.