Projected sustainability of innovative social programs

Eval Rev. 2009 Apr;33(2):189-205. doi: 10.1177/0193841X08322860. Epub 2008 Aug 15.

Abstract

This study is an exploratory examination of the projected sustainability of more than 100 projects funded by the Australian government. Using data collected by the body that evaluated the projects and data from a government database, it examines the predictors of various forms of sustainability. Findings show that some two thirds of the project leaders who expected their programs to continue after the expiration of the initial funding expected them to continue with the same activities and target population; almost half envisioned them diversifying to new activities, target groups, or locations. Auspice organization involvement increased the expectation that the project would be continued, project effectiveness decreased that expectation, and diversity of initial funding became less important as other sources of support and sustainability were taken into consideration.

MeSH terms

  • Australia
  • Databases, Factual
  • Diffusion of Innovation*
  • Humans
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Program Evaluation / statistics & numerical data
  • Program Evaluation / trends*
  • Regression Analysis
  • Social Work / organization & administration
  • Social Work / statistics & numerical data
  • Social Work / trends*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires