Leveraging Crowdfunding to Finance Rural Water and Sanitation Projects: Opportunities, Challenges, and Pathways to Sustainable Development
Keywords:
Crowdfunding, Water and Sanitation, Rural Development, Digital Financing, PRISMA, WASH, Sustainable DevelopmentAbstract
Access to safe water and sanitation remains a significant challenge in rural Zimbabwe, impacting public health, livelihoods, and socio-economic development. Traditional funding sources, including government budgets and donor aid, are constrained by limited fiscal capacity and declining external support. Crowdfunding, a technology-driven financing mechanism that mobilises small contributions from diverse donors, presents a viable alternative to address these gaps. This study systematically reviews literature using the PRISMA framework to explore the potential of crowdfunding in financing rural water and sanitation (WASH) projects. Findings indicate that donation-based, reward-based, and impact-investment crowdfunding models are most applicable to the Zimbabwean context. Key enablers include widespread mobile money adoption, diaspora engagement, community-led governance, and effective use of social media for storytelling and transparency. Challenges such as low digital literacy, connectivity issues, trust deficits, and regulatory ambiguities are also highlighted. The study underscores that integrating crowdfunding with community participation and local governance enhances ownership, accountability, and sustainability of WASH initiatives. Policy recommendations include establishing legal frameworks for crowdfunding, investing in rural digital infrastructure, and building community capacity. Harnessing crowdfunding effectively can supplement traditional financing, accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6, and ensure equitable access to safe water and sanitation in Zimbabwe's rural communities.
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