Zambezi, Pemberai2016-09-302016-09-302011http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11837/589Development is a critical aspect of individuals, groups, communities or nations. Community development is even more critical aspect of development as it purportedly leads to self reliance. Huge amounts of funds, time, and resources, just but to mention a few have been continuously channeled towards communities over time in a bid to facilitate community development. Unfortunately, results of such actions and interventions by NGOs, governments and a host of development agencies have so far largely proved elusive. Contrary to NGO expectations and popular opinion, target communities continuously demand, request and expect increased direct support from development agencies. Solving acute community problems and challenges, the focus of most NGO development interventions has been less successful. Target problems have largely graduated and turned to chronic levels. All this is unfortunately worsening against the background of increased donor and NGO support. Deteriorating and widening community challenges are also taking place against general claims by NGOs to the application of community development ideals in communities as a successful development alternative. Contrastingly, rather than being self reliant, communities have become more dependent on donors. In addition, NGO target communities continue to grapple with short-lived changes, limited participation by the majority, reversal of past successes and dwindling self representation and reliance. Inequalities have widened. This is to the detriment of ongoing NGO claims and efforts at promoting community development. vii This study focused on understanding the various discrepancies and discords that are increasingly becoming evident about NGO work and the change taking place in target communities. Detailed understanding of the various nuances that possibly explain the ongoing mismatch between NGO actions and results have been drawn and outlined along the different sections of this study. An analysis of the practical outcomes of NGO efforts and interventions in as far as community development is concerned has also been made. Furthermore, the study intends has built a platform for understanding the various factors that underpin successful accomplishment of community development. In the process, the study has implicitly examined the extent to which community development ideals can be successfully shaped into practical realities. The study looks at how NGOs have fared in as far as the roll out of community development is concerned. Key findings emerging from this study were that NGOs provided just but part of some of the components essential for accomplishment of community development. Issues of participation, decision making, inclusiveness, sustainability and the ability to promote lasting and irreversible change can only be guaranteed if there is an enabling macro environment. Second, the study noted the need for common appreciation of the concept of community development by development partners. Additionally, NGOs and other development players should be holistic in their approach, looking beyond certain exclusive development sectors for community development to succeed. NGOs in Community development should strive to openly influence the government to craft and enact policies and procedures that provide an enabling environment for community development to thrive and succeed.enCommunity, development, improvement, facilitation, transformative, relief, community development