PROJECT RESILIENCE: RELEVANT OR A FAR FETCHED CONCEPT IN THE CONTEXT OF ZIMBABWE‟S RURAL PROJECTS BY NGOS?

Abstract

Project resilience ensures the continued existence and relevance of projects. It is a product of a variety of factors, thus a complex phenomenon that requires a systems approach to analysis. Little research exists on project resilience. For on governmental organisations (NGOs) to remain relevant and essential, there is need for analysis of their projects using project resilience concepts. This article discusses the factors that affect project resilience in rural projects involving NGOs using a systems approach. It then suggests the Panarchy Model be used to do a project resilience analysis using three eco-cycles. After carrying out a narrative literature review. 35 articles were included in this study. A three layered eco-cycle in the model is suggested with individual resilience at the bottom layer, community resilience in the middle layer and project resilience at the topmost layer. These layers have various players that interact in a cyclic manner. It was found that collaboration, knowledge generation, understanding the context and monitoring and evaluation are among key issues that ensure project resilience. It is recommended that NGOs partake in bottom-up collaboration with communities to inform their projects. Researchers are recommended to also do empirical studies to test the three-layered eco-cycle suggested for its relevance in practice.