An Evaluation on the Effectiveness of M&E in Enhancing the Performance of CDF Funded Projects at the Local Level: A case study of Petauke Central Constituency

The study evaluated the effectiveness of monitoring, and evaluation on the performance of CDF funded projects in Petauke Central constituency. The study was guided by the following objectives namely; to establish how M&E processes are being done during the implementation of CDF projects at local level, to examine the implementation of M and E in CDF funded projects, to analyse the impact of executing M&E during CDF projects implementation, and to assess the challenges faced in the implementation of M and E during the implementation CDF projects. The theory that guided this study was Results-based theory. The study employed an explorative case study research approach in addressing the research problem. The structured questionnaires were used to collect data from respondents. A sample of 100 respondents was used in the research. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used to get the sample for the study. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistics and thematic analysis methods. Findings indicated that the effect of M&E on the performance of the CDF projects can be realized through factors such as enhancing staff training in M&E, promoting local stakeholder interest in M&E as well as engagement of local stakeholders in the implementation process of CDF projects. It was further found that project monitoring has a positive relationship with public projects since project monitoring leads to project usefulness, hence ensuring the performance of the project; this implies that to attain usefulness to CDF project specifically in Petauke Central constituency. Moreover, the study indicated that project evaluation has a positive relationship with the performance of the CDF projects. For instance, achievement of project objectives, goals, development effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability seem to be vital toward attaining project sustainability. The study concluded that monitoring of the project needs to be strengthened toward CDF project performance at local level.