Comparative study of the effects of Menarid international project on economic and social empowerment of rural communities (case study: Sistan and North Khorasan)

Authors

• Samaneh Sarani ¹
• Sadegh Asghari Lafmejani ²
• Hamid Heidary Mokarrar ³

¹ University of Mohaghegh Ardabili. Ardabil. Iran

² Associate Professor of Geography & Rural Planning, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran.

³ Department of Geography, University of Zabol, Iran.

10.30495/jzpm.2025.33314.4334

Abstract

Most countries consider empowerment as the most efficient way to achieve sustainable development and consider empowerment the key to the success and sustainability of development plans in natural resources worldwide. The purpose of the present study is to compare the effects of the International Menarid Project on Empowerment and Social Empowerment of Sistan and North Khorasan Rural Communities. The present study is descriptive-analytical in terms of purpose, applied and method. The tool has been the data collection and interview and questionnaire information. The statistical population consists of households in the two districts of Sistan and North Khorasan. Of 3952 rural households in two areas, 351 samples were selected using Cochran formula and simple random sampling method. Descriptive methods, Aras, and SPSS and Expert Choice were used for data analysis. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the effects of the International Menarid project on the empowerment of rural households in Sistan and North Khorasan areas. In the Sistan region, the indicators of participation in the preservation of natural resources, the recognition of existing potentials and a positive attitude on the most important effects of the Menarid project on the empowerment of rural households in this area have been; While people's communication indicators with experts, participation in the establishment of the Fund and the awareness of local communities have been the most important impact of the Menarid project on the empowerment of rural households in the South Khorasan region. Therefore, it is suggested that the capacities of each region be reviewed existing programs and strategies and new plans to improve the empowerment status of rural households in each area.

Keywords

• Menarid
• Empowerment
• Rural Communities
• Sistan
• North Khorasan

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