Philanthropy and sustainable development : exploring sustainability of community development projects : a case study of a World Vision South Africa ADP community.

Abstract

Sustainability of development is a target that most policy makers and practitioners in the field of development aim to achieve. However, encouraging sustainability of development projects is a difficult task, especially when taking into account the challenges of donor funding. This research examines if community development projects that are funded through philanthropy can result in development that is sustainable. Through a case study of a community in the Free State province where World Vision South Africa facilitates development projects, the mechanisms for sustainability are investigated. Document analysis and in-depth interviews are utilised to explore the relationship between philanthropy and sustainability. Active participation, capacity building of community members and local structures, and empowerment and ownership of development projects are revealed as the mechanisms that are present for fostering sustainability. This study also explores the additional challenges that this community faces in encouraging sustainability and how these issues are being addressed. The impact of philanthropic funding on the sustainability of the development projects is found to be of little influence in this case, but it highlights the importance of strengthening the mechanisms for sustainability, regardless of the funding source. This research provides evidence to suggest that sustainability of development is possible, and many of the challenges in achieving this can be overcome through supporting the identified mechanisms for sustainability.