Immersion Site Assessment Workshop

The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) organized a four-day workshop on *Immersion Site Assessment* under the PRI-CBO Convergence Project from 9 – 12 June, 2026. The workshop, held in Sawantwadi block, one of the Phase I immersion sites in Maharashtra, brought together delegates from 28 States and Union Territories, National Resource Persons (NRPs), professionals from Kudumbashree NRO, and members of the National Mission Management Unit (NMMU).

The workshop began by situating the immersion site assessment within the broader framework of project implementation. Discussions focused on the stages of implementation across different states, the revised strategy for execution, readiness criteria, and the preparatory activities required by the states. The concept and development of immersion sites were deliberated and the tool and process of immersion site assessment were explained in detail. The participants worked in subgroups to identify means of verification for these indicators and subsequently field tested the assessment tool over two days. During this period, they engaged with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), elected PRI representatives, and institutional platforms of convergence strengthened through the project. This exercise enabled participants to understand the strengths and limitations of the tool, reflect on their state-specific implementation strategies, and explore the potential for convergence through the project.

Following the field visits, the groups presented their observations on the institutions and committees engaged through the project, while also sharing queries and feedback on the grading tool. States then shared their action plans for the project, in alignment with the insights and learnings gained through the workshop.

The workshop enabled participants to clearly visualize the intended outcomes of the project, strategize for strengthening implementation in their respective states, and refine the assessment tool to better capture project outcomes.

For professionals from Kudumbashree NRO, the workshop provided a valuable opportunity for cross learning. It enabled them to appreciate diverse possibilities of convergence, channelize their efforts toward immersion site development, and refine their support to State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs).