Success of Community Participation in Development Planning for Socio-Economic Transformation in Rwanda. Gakenke District

The study attempted to assess the success of community participation in development planning process in Gakenke District in Rwanda. The study adopted a cross-sectional design using both quantitative and qualitative research approaches on a sample of 76 respondents. Quantitative data involved the use of descriptive statistics particularly frequencies, percentages and the mean. Findings of revealed that the development planning process remains top-down approach, priorities from the community are rarely taken into account and community participation is often used as a word of fantasy wherein the community has no role to play unless and until a comprehensive detailed plan is prepared by the development authority. The needs and priorities from the community are not taken into account as needed into the district development strategy; this situation contributes certainly to the rate of poverty of the district because implemented projects are not responding necessarily to the direct needs of communities. The study recommended to lighten the top-down approach and reinforce the bottom-up approach through the utilization of the community participation tools, empowering people through capacity building for staffs and local leaders at all levels of the district; equipping them with knowledge, skills and confidence to address their own needs and advocate on their own behalf and improve their capacity for collective activity for more socio-economic transformation results.