Workshop Overview:

The Annual Review Workshop of the PESHA Project was convened to take stock of the project's achievements, reflect on implementation challenges, and chart a clear course for the remaining project period. The Review Workshop was organized from April 27 to 30, 2026 at the Amaltari Buffer Zone Community Homestay, Kawasoti-15, Nawalparasi. The workshop brought together 20 participants from AMDA-MINDS Nepal, MPMT Board, and PESHA Project staff. The venue was intentionally selected to also expose participants to a model of community-based tourism and cultural heritage preservation linked to the Tharu indigenous community.

A total of 20 participants attended the workshop, which included representatives from AMDA MINDS Nepal, and Maya Prem Memorial Trust. The workshop was designed to be highly participatory, moving well beyond conventional presentations to foster active learning, team reflection, and shared ownership of project results. A deliberate mix of creative and analytical methods was employed to accommodate diverse learning styles, encourage open dialogue, and make the review process energizing for all participants. The approaches included posters, photo and quiz competition, feedback exchange, and role play.

Objectives:

• Review and validate annual project progress, financial expenditure, and budget variances against planned targets and indicators for April 2025 – March 2026 (Year 2).
• Consolidate field-level evidence of impact on smallholder farmers, including beneficiary data, photos, videos, success stories, and case studies.
• Document key implementation challenges, lessons learned, and best practices for adaptive management and future planning.
• Approve targets, strategies, timelines, and responsibilities for Year 3 while recognizing team achievements and identifying capacity development needs

Workshop Highlights:

The workshop emphasized teamwork, accountability, and collaborative learning. A structured two-year project review was presented covering achievements against targets, key lessons learned, and the strategic priorities for Year 3, the project's final year leading to completion in January 2027. A dedicated financial review session covered Year 1 and Year 2 expenditures, tax compliance, documentation standards, and a preliminary budget projection for Year 3.

Team-building activities including a message appreciation session, quiz competition and the PESHA Photo Competition strengthened staff cohesion and recognized field-level contributions. The winning photograph was captured by Anish Chepang. Social Mobilizers (Gandaki and Shahid Lakhan Clusters) delivered independent presentations on field achievements, beneficiary data, and key challenges over Year  2 building confidence in data communication and public presentation skills.

Cultural immersion activities, including a Tharu cultural evening, museum visit, and forest safari, enriched participants' understanding of community-based tourism and sustainable livelihoods.

The workshop formally concluded with reflections from MPMT Board Members and AMDA-MINDS Nepal, reaffirming collective commitment to achieving the project's end-of-project goals.

Outcomes achieved through the workshop:

• Annual project progress, financial expenditure, and impact on smallholder farmers were comprehensively reviewed, validated, and documented against planned targets and indicators.
• Key implementation challenges, lessons learned, and best practices were systematically captured to inform adaptive management and strengthen evidence-based decision-making.
• Coordination and commitment among project staff, implementing partners, and donor representatives were renewed.
• An annual work plan with clear targets, strategies, defined responsibilities, and agreed timelines for Year 3 was approved.
• Team achievements were collectively celebrated, and capacity development needs were identified.
• Creative activities (photo competition, drama, quiz) significantly increased participant engagement and peer learning.

Conclusions:

The Annual Review Workshop of the PESHA Project served as an important platform for collective reflection, learning, performance review, and strategic planning among project stakeholders. Through participatory presentations, thematic discussions, group reflections, and experience sharing, participants were able to critically review the project’s progress, achievements, challenges, and lessons learned during the reporting period.

The workshop further strengthened coordination and mutual understanding among MPMT, AMDA MINDS, and project staff, while also reaffirming their shared commitment toward improving the livelihoods and resilience of smallholder farmers in both implementation areas. The workshop highlighted the importance of continued capacity building, effective market linkage support, strengthened monitoring systems, and collaborative implementation approaches to ensure the sustainability and long-term impact of the PESHA Project. The recommendations and action points generated during the workshop will serve as important guidance for enhancing project effectiveness and achieving the planned outcomes during the remaining implementation period.