Khagrachhari, 30 September 2026: The District-Level Learning Sharing Workshop of the PRLC Project began at Parjatan Motel, Khagrachhari, bringing together project stakeholders, community representatives and relevant government officials to reflect on project achievements, experiences, key learnings, challenges and future actions.
The PRLC Project is being implemented in Khagrachhari through Trinamul Unnayan Sangstha (TUS) and ALO, working closely with communities and relevant government service providers to strengthen resilient livelihoods, nutrition, access to social protection and essential government services.
The workshop commenced with an introduction and greetings session conducted by Alo Priyo Chakma, Deputy Project Manager, Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF). The welcome speech and objectives of the workshop were presented by Nikhil Chakma, Project Coordinator, MJF.
The opening sessions emphasized the importance of sharing experiences and lessons from project implementation and identifying practical actions for strengthening project outcomes and sustaining achievements.
Project Progress and Experiences
During the programme, invited guests and local representatives shared their observations and experiences related to project implementation, community participation, livelihood development, nutrition and access to government services.
A presentation on the PRLC Project's overview and progress in Khagrachhari District was jointly delivered by Anzum Banhi Chakma, Project Coordinator, Trinamul Unnayan Sangstha (TUS), and Mihir Chakma, Project Coordinator, ALO.
The presentation highlighted major project activities, achievements, progress against planned interventions, community participation and key outcomes of the PRLC Project in Khagrachhari District.
Group Work on Progress, Learning and Way Forward
Participants were divided into four groups to discuss project progress, key learnings, challenges and the way forward. The discussions covered several important thematic areas:
- Outcome 1 – Livelihoods: Sustainable agriculture, resilient livelihoods, agricultural production, income-generating activities, beneficiary support, market linkages, technical assistance and sustainability.
- Outcome 2 – Nutrition: Household nutrition, nutrition gardens, awareness among mothers and adolescents, dietary practices and opportunities for improving household-level nutrition.
- Outcome 3 – Social Safety Net Support: Access to government social safety-net services, identification and referral of eligible beneficiaries, linkages with government services and challenges faced by community members.
- Cross-cutting Learning and Government Services: Community awareness, access to government services, coordination with service providers and practical approaches for reaching remote and vulnerable communities.
Sustainable Agriculture and Resilient Livelihoods
The livelihoods group highlighted positive changes resulting from PRLC interventions and discussed good practices, challenges and measures required to strengthen sustainable and resilient livelihoods.
The participants emphasized continued technical support, climate-resilient agricultural practices, access to quality inputs and services, stronger market linkages, knowledge sharing and community-level initiatives. The findings and recommendations were presented by Sajai U Marma and Kalpana Tripura, Farmer Facilitators.
Improved Access to Government Services
The discussion on access to government services highlighted increased awareness among project beneficiaries regarding their rights, available services and procedures for accessing those services. Participants also observed greater confidence among beneficiaries in visiting government offices and an increase in livestock vaccination and related livestock-health services.
At the same time, participants identified geographical inaccessibility and limited human resources within government service institutions as important challenges, particularly for women and communities living in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
The group recommended stronger communication and linkages between communities and relevant government line departments, greater use of mobile phones and digital communication, and better utilization of PRLC Farmer Facilitators and Community Livestock Workers to support communication and referrals.
Participants also emphasized strengthening coordination and referral mechanisms and ensuring that information about available government services reaches women and other vulnerable beneficiaries in remote areas.
Participation
The workshop brought together farmers, Farmer Facilitators, mothers' groups, adolescent groups, community clinic staff, community representatives, Headmen and Karbaris, Union Parishad representatives, relevant government officials and project representatives.
Government participants included representatives from the Livestock Office, Department of Women Affairs, Social Welfare Office and Health and Family Planning Office of Laxmichari Upazila.
Moving Forward
The District-Level Learning Sharing Workshop provides an important platform for PRLC stakeholders to collectively reflect on achievements and experiences, identify implementation challenges, document key lessons and develop practical recommendations for strengthening project outcomes and ensuring the sustainability of project interventions.
The workshop will continue through 1 October 2026.