The Himachal Pradesh State Rural Livelihoods Mission (HPSRLM) entered into a partnership with the Kudumbashree National Resource Organisation (KS-NRO) through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in September 2023 for the implementation of the Universalization of PRI-CBO Convergence. The HPSRLM piloted the PRI-CBO Convergence program from February 2022 to March 2023 across 40 blocks in __ districts. Encouraged by the positive outcomes of this pilot, the SRLM committed to a phased statewide expansion. The first step in this initiative was launched at the National Workshop on PRI-CBO Convergence in July 2023.

Coverage 

1. Kudumbashree NRO supported the state in developing a comprehensive State Operational Framework and provided essential orientation for effective project implementation. Currently, the project is operational across 3 districts, 4 blocks, and 148 Gram Panchayats (GPs)
2. From the outset, a key focus has been on cultivating community leaders from within the society to drive the initiative forward. A total of 282 resource persons were selected across district, block, and panchayat levels, each empowered with the project’s principles and tools through targeted capacity-building efforts. Major training sessions included VOCC (Village Organisation Coordination Committee) Orientation, strategies for Gram Sabha mobilization, and essential skill-building to equip them for impactful work.
3. Engaging diverse stakeholders remains a cornerstone of the project. Comprehensive orientations were conducted on a range of critical topics, including poverty alleviation, convergence opportunities, and civic literacy. These sessions have reached various levels, including CLFs, VOs, and Local Self-Government Institutions (LSGIs), ensuring stakeholders are informed and aligned with the project’s objectives and vision.
4. As a fundamental component of the project, VPRP (Village Poverty Reduction Plan) planning has been prioritized through targeted training. Key cadres such as DRPs, LRPs, and I-Mentors received specialized instruction on VPRP methodologies and its four core components. State-level two-day trainings were organized for DRPs and I-Mentors, while block-level sessions were held for LRPs. Additionally, as part of VPRP follow-up activities, convergence initiatives with departments led to impactful awareness programs on health, menstrual hygiene, and cybercrime, in association with h One-Stop Centers.

In November 2023, the Sanjeevini Karnataka State Rural Livelihood Promotion Society (KSRLPS) partnered with the Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission, Kudumbashree NRO to implement the Universalization of PRI-CBO Convergence Project in Karnataka. The project will be carried out across 804 Gram Panchayats (GPs) in 34 taluks across 8 districts. Field activities for the project commenced in December 2023, marking the beginning of its implementation on the ground.

The coverage of the project is as follows. 

1. Cadre development is a key focus of the project. A total of 34 Block Resource Persons (BRPs) and 1,608 Local Resource Persons (LRPs) have been selected and provided with extensive training tailored to their roles and responsibilities. These training sessions were designed to equip them with the necessary skill sets to effectively implement the project in the field. Additionally, Training of Trainers (ToTs) sessions have been conducted as refresher training to further enhance the capabilities of the cadres.
2. Orientation sessions were conducted for key stakeholders, including CBO members at the GPLF and WLF levels, LSGI members, and line department officials, across all intervention blocks. These sessions aimed to familiarize stakeholders with the essential components of the project, raise awareness about their roles and responsibilities, and clarify the expectations from their involvement.
3. Participatory planning has been emphasized throughout the project. As part of the preparatory activities, consultative meetings, VPRP, GPDP, and labor budgeting have been initiated prior to the Grama Sabha to ensure thorough community involvement and effective planning.

On November 7, 2023, Umed - Maharashtra State Livelihood Mission and Kudumbashree NRO signed an MoU to launch the universalization of the PRI-CBO Convergence Project in the state of Maharashtra. In its first phase, the project covers 12 districts and 24 blocks, reaching 1,922 Gram Panchayats, 148 Cluster Level Federations (CLFs), and 24 blocks across Maharashtra. The coverage of the project is as follows.

1. The development of immersion sites has been prioritized to showcase best practices and serve as model examples for other intervention blocks. These sites will function as exposure locations, highlighting key elements of a robust local governance system. In the initial phase, the project aims to establish four immersion blocks: Tuljapur in Dharashi, Mul in Chandrapur, Kalamb in Yavatmal, and Sawantwadi in Sindhudurg.
2. Cadre development is a crucial element of the project, aimed at ensuring smooth implementation at the grassroots level. A total of 1,948 cadres—including District Resource Persons, Block Resource Persons, and Local Resource Persons—have been trained specifically for this purpose. Each cadre has undergone specialized training tailored to their roles and responsibilities, equipping them with the essential skills and knowledge required for effective project execution on the ground.
3. Orientation sessions for key stakeholders, including CBOs, CLF managers, Cluster Coordinators, PRI members, and representatives from line departments, have been prioritized to ensure their thorough understanding of the project and its essential components. These sessions are designed to equip stakeholders with the necessary insights and knowledge to effectively support and contribute to the project’s objectives.
4. As VPRP is central to the PRI-CBO convergence, concept seeding at the CBO level has been initiated to provide essential knowledge on VPRP processes and procedures. This concept seeding was conducted across all 148 CLFs within the intervention blocks. Additionally, VPRP concept seeding at the VO level was carried out, reaching 1,935 VOs and engaging 62,750 VO Executive Committee members across all intervention blocks.

Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society (MSRLS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kudumbashree NRO as a knowledge and technical partner on 14th August 2023. The partnership is set for an initial period of 18 months to drive the universal implementation of the VC-VEC-VO Convergence Project across the state. The pilot interventions for this initiative were launched in 2021-22, marking the beginning of the project’s phased rollout in Meghalaya.

• The development of four immersion blocks in the state is a significant aspect of the project, designed to serve as model sites for PRI-CBO convergence. These blocks will demonstrate the successful integration of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Community-Based Organizations, showcasing best practices and effective collaboration. The immersion blocks will also act as learning hubs, providing a practical framework for other regions to replicate, ensuring the broader implementation of PRI-CBO convergence across the state.
• Orientation on the program has been conducted for state, district, and block-level staff to ensure a thorough understanding of the project’s objectives, processes, and roles. These sessions aim to equip the staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively implement and support the project at various levels, ensuring seamless coordination and execution across all areas.
• A total of 2,684 cadres have been selected and trained on the program, including both Block Resource Persons (BRPs) and District Resource Persons (DRPs). These cadres have received specialized training to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively support and implement the program at the grassroots level.
• VPRP training has been initiated for the Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) and Village Organizations (VOs), focusing on the planning process. This training aims to equip these key stakeholders with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively develop and implement VPRPs, ensuring a strong foundation for the project’s success at the community level.
• An Adult Literacy drive and camp were conducted in the Resubelpara Immersion Block, North Garo Hills District, focusing on one Model Cluster Level Federation (CLF). The initiative aimed to enhance literacy levels within the community, promoting greater engagement and empowerment of local members through education.
• Free Medical Health Camp was organized by Bilcham Cluster Level Federation in A Free Medical Health Camp was organized by the Bilcham Cluster Level Federation in collaboration with the Medical Department. This initiative aimed to provide essential healthcare services to the community, ensuring access to medical support and promoting overall well-being within the region.
• In Nongdiengkain village, located within the Mawshynrut Block of West Khasi Hills (WKH) district, a Social Development Plan (SDP) activity was conducted to address critical issues of malnutrition and school dropout rates. This initiative aimed to enhance community awareness and implement effective strategies to combat these challenges, thereby improving the overall well-being and educational outcomes of the village’s children.
• An Awareness Programme focusing on Early Marriage, Early Pregnancy, and School Dropout was held in Thangbuli village, Amlarem. The event aimed to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of early marriage and pregnancy on the health, education, and future prospects of young individuals, encouraging the community to take proactive steps toward addressing these issues.
• As part of the Social Development Plan under the VC-VEC-VO Convergence project, an awareness program on family planning was organized by the BMMU in Laskeinin Aitnar Thadmuthlong village. The initiative aimed to educate the community on family planning methods, promoting informed decision-making and healthier family dynamics for long-term social and economic well-being.

The PRI-CBO Convergence Project under the Mizoram State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MzSRLM) was launched in partnership with Kudumbashree National Resource Organization (Kudumbashree-NRO) in 2018 as a pilot initiative in Serchhip district. This pilot aimed to establish a model for effective collaboration between Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). Following its success, the project was expanded to Mamit district in 2021. On September 5, 2023, MzSRLM and Kudumbashree NRO signed an MoU to universalize the project, initiating its first phase across 7 districts and 15 blocks.

1. The development of immersion sites is a major focus of the project. As one of the pilot states, Mizoram has selected two blocks—Serchhip and East Lungdar—as immersion sites from the pilot intervention. These blocks will serve as model areas, showcasing effective practices and strategies for PRI-CBO convergence.
2. Building a robust cadre pool is essential for ensuring the project’s sustainability. A total of 347 cadres, including District Resource Persons and Block Resource Persons, have been selected and provided with comprehensive training. This training equips them with the skills and capacities necessary to support and sustain the intervention effectively.
3. Orientation sessions have been organized for key stakeholders, including CBOs, PRI members, line department representatives, and CLF managers. These sessions provided an understanding of the project and clarified the roles and expectations for each stakeholder to ensure coordinated and effective engagement.
4. The VOCC serves as a crucial link between PRIs and CBOs, acting as a platform to ensure effective convergence and facilitate follow-ups on demands raised through VPRP and GPDP. These coordination committees are essential in bridging efforts between PRI and CBO structures. The formation and orientation of the VOCC have been successfully completed.
5. Mizoram has made significant progress in VPRP preparation successfully completing planning at the VO level. Additionally, training sessions on Grama Sabhas have been initiated, and mobilization efforts have been conducted at the VO level to ensure active participation in the Grama Sabhas.

On August 3, 2023, the Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM) and Kudumbashree National Resource Organization (NRO) entered into a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to initiate the Universalisation of PRI-CBO Convergence Project. This 18-month initiative seeks to enhance collaboration between Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) and Community-Based Organizations (CBO), focusing on eight Rural Development (RD) Blocks across four districts in Nagaland. The profile of the intervention areas is as follows:

1. A key focus of the project is the development of immersion sites, to showcase the best practices and examples for the other intervention blocks. Three Rural Development (RD) Blocks have been selected as model sites for this purpose: Jakhama RD Block in Kohima District, Longleng RD Block in Longleng District, and Wokha RD Block in Wokha District. These sites will serve as benchmarks, demonstrating the potential impact of collaboration between Panchayati Raj Institutions and Community-Based Organizations and the line departments
2. The development of cadres is a key aspect of the project, ensuring its smooth implementation at the grassroots level. A total of 128 cadres have been trained for this purpose, including both District Resource Persons and Village Facilitators. These cadres have received specialized training tailored to their specific roles and responsibilities, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively execute the project on the ground.
3. VPRP, being a major component of the project, has seen the initiation of various preparatory activities at different levels. The first step in this process was cadre training, ensuring that they are equipped to support the development of plans at the field level. Since the VPRP plan is developed by the CBO members, the concept of VPRP has been introduced to them through concept seeding sessions. Additionally, the first State-Level Joint Coordination Committee has given focus on VPRP-GPDP integration further strengthening the connection between the two processes.
4. Village-level Coordination Committees play a crucial role as platforms for communication and coordination between PRI and CBOs, and monitoring of the demands generated within the community. In Nagaland, the Village Level Gender Forum has been designated as the primary platform for PRI-CBO convergence. This forum has undergone a significant transformation, expanding its typical functions to take on a more prominent role in local governance. By doing so, it has become a pivotal structure in supporting the project’s objectives and fostering greater community involvement in decision-making processes.

On 12th July 2023, the Puducherry State Rural Livelihood Mission signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kudumbashree National Resource Organization to implement the PRI-CBO Convergence Universalisation project. This partnership aims to foster collaboration and strengthen community-based governance structures across the region.

• The State-level orientation session has been conducted to familiarize key stakeholders with the project’s objectives and implementation framework, ensuring alignment and readiness across all levels for effective rollout.