ABSTRACT
The concept of sustainability of projects whether donor or government funded is posing a serious challenge not only in Kenya but also in many least developed countries. Most projects implemented at high costs often tend to experience sustainability difficulties especially after project closure whereby the county stops funding but the project is expected to continue to benefit the targeted beneficiaries. The purpose of this study was to determine organizational factors influencing the Sustainability of Youth Service Project in Meru County, Kenya. The study sought to achieve the following objectives; to evaluate the extent to which leadership style, project communication, resource allocation and capacity building influences influence sustainability of Youth Service Project in Meru County, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design with the target population being 447 including Youth representatives, project managers and community leaders. Stratified simple random sampling techniques was used to select a sample of
109 respondents. Primary data was obtained using self-administered questionnaires while secondary data was obtained using data collection sheet. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 25.0). Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, mean score and standard deviation were estimated for all the quantitative variables and information presented inform of tables. The qualitative data from the open-ended questions was analysed using conceptual content analysis and presented in prose. Inferential data analysis was done using multiple regression analysis. The study found that transformational leadership influences sustainability of Youth Service Project in Meru County to a very great extent. Further, it was found that formal feedback; top-down/bottom up; and methods of communication influence sustainability of Youth Service Project in Meru County to a moderate extent. The research found that financial management; and projects funding influence sustainability of Youth Service Project in Meru County to a great extent. The study further established that project design capacity building; and leadership capacity building influence sustainability of Youth Service Project in Meru County to a moderate extent. The study concluded that resource allocation (r=0.941, p=0.014) had the greatest influence on sustainability of Youth Service Project in Meru County, followed by capacity building(r=0.871, p=0.010), then leadership style (r=0.717, p=0.006) while project communication (r=0.653, the p=0.021) had the least influence on the sustainability of Youth Service Project in Meru County. The research recommended that project officers must receive at least basic training in project management. Where project management committees
exist, the members should also be trained. There is also a need to seek alternative sources of funds and resources such as forging public private partnerships, enhancing cost-recovery measures and approaching donors for funding.
