Determinants of Village Community Members' Awareness on Constituency Development Catalyst Fund (CDCF) in Vwawa Constituency, Mbozi District, Tanzania

Abstract

This study assessed the determinants of village community members' awareness of CDCF in Vwawa Constituency, Tanzania. The absence of systematic research on how different information sources influence awareness leaves policymakers without evidence-based strategies to strengthen individual community members’ engagement in CDCF projects implementation and decision-making. Specifically, the study examines the association between awareness of individuals and socio-demographic factors and the relationship between the source of information and individual awareness on CDCF. In reducing travel costs and administrative burdens, a sample of 250 households was drawn using multistage cluster sampling, and data were collected using a closed-ended questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. Data analysis involved inferential statistics (chi-square) and thematic analysis of qualitative data. The findings established that theassociation between awareness of CDCF and social demographic factors, including age, sex, marital status, and education level, was not found to have a significant relationship. However, the socio- factors (leadership position) were significantly related. The study also found that the association between awareness of CDCF and the sources of information (village assembly, ward development committee (WDC), member of parliament (MP), and seminars) were significantly related, while newspapers, radio, and television were not significantly related. The study concluded that CDCF information is not reaching people based on their demographic profiles. As such, information remains within the leaders (WDC, WEO and village council members) who sit in planning meetings. The study recommended that the beneficiaries of the CDCF should be enlightened about the funding in order to comply with the requirements of the CDCF Act, 2009, as intended by the law.