“I left my shyness behind”: Sustainable community‐led development and processes of motivation among rural Nicaraguan women

Abstract

This paper explores motivational changes of Nicaraguan women involved in sustainable community‐led development. Sustainability is the goal of many organizations engaged with capacity development interventions. Research on what such sustainability entails point to a correlation between sustained action by communities, postintervention, and high levels of social capital, collective agency, and efficacy. But what factors motivate people to develop the social capital, self‐efficacy, and agency that enable them to sustain their actions towards their communities’ well‐being? Using Self‐Determination Theory as framework, and drawing from interview data, this qualitative paper explores the psychosocial processes rural Nicaraguan women undergo when initially engaging in, and eventually committing to community‐led projects. Types of motivation in combination with shifts from initial to more sustained forms of motivation, we conclude, can inform current and future community development interventions on the role motivation plays toward establishing agency, efficacy, and relationships—that is, essential components of sustainable community development.

Linking farmers’ perceptions and management decision toward sustainable agroecological transition: evidence from rural Tunisia

“…These results are consistent with several studies that have explored the role of gender in agricultural projects. Cloete et al ( 55 ) found that rural Nicaraguan women’s motivations change from initial to sustained forms, enabling them to sustain community-led projects and build social capital, self-efficacy, and agency. Amran and Fatah ( 56 ) studied women’s empowerment in agriculture in Malaysia and found that access to extension services and effective decision-making are key factors, but limited leadership, motivation and engagement challenges, and restricted community group participation hinder women’s empowerment.…”