ABSTRACT
Our research deals with how sustainable impact can be achieved from large projects and programmes. Sustainability means outcomes in terms of long-term effects from a programme – that is a cluster of projects. Our review of earlier programme and project initiatives indicates that sustainability has often been poor. Uncertainty about what projects lead to in the long term is great, since there is little research in the area, and few evaluations study long-term effects. Which are the mechanisms for successful sustainable development programmes and projects? What driving forces enable project results to continue, be integrated with regular operations, and disseminated to other areas and leading to strategic impact? There seem to be three mechanisms that are decisive:
Active ownership within the framework of an efficient and transparent project organisation.
Collaboration between important actors and organisations building on joint knowledge formation blended with action.
Developmental learning that leads to multiplier effects.
