By Ankita Shelke & Fr Bento D'Souza for BIS Mumbai

Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra (BGVK) organised a Review and Refreshers Meeting under the WELEAD Project, for its partner organisations at Ashankur, Bhokar on February 25, 2026. The gathering brought together representatives of grassroots organisations working closely with communities to reflect on the past year’s work and to chart a clear path forward.

The WELEAD project focuses on strengthening women & community participation, promoting accountable local governance, and nurturing leadership at the grassroots level. Through collaboration with local Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) — community-based groups and non-profit organisations serving villages and small towns — the initiative aims to empower citizens, particularly the marginalised, to actively participate in local development and decision-making processes.

The discussions were led by Fr George D'Abreo, Director of BGVK, and Sr Geeta Gonsalves, Project Coordinator. They guided the sessions with a focus on honest reflection, constructive feedback, and future-oriented planning. Representatives from partner organisations shared detailed updates from their respective field areas, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and lessons learned. Feedback received from community members over the year was reviewed carefully. This open exchange allowed participants to identify strengths in implementation as well as areas that require improvement.

A significant emphasis was placed on understanding the real impact of the project at the village level. Partners shared examples of increased awareness among citizens about their rights and entitlements, stronger engagement with local governance bodies, and emerging community leaders taking initiative in addressing local issues. Such stories reflected the growing confidence and participation of communities in development processes.

The meeting also included refresher inputs on the core objectives and approach of the WELEAD project. These sessions helped partners realign their strategies, clarify expectations, and strengthen coordination. Improved documentation, regular monitoring, and deeper outreach to vulnerable groups were identified as priorities for the coming year.

The planning segment of the meeting focused on new interventions and structured timelines for the next phase of implementation. Together, BGVK and its partner organisations outlined strategies to enhance community engagement and ensure that development efforts remain inclusive and sustainable.

The Review and Refreshers Meeting reaffirmed BGVK’s commitment to collaborative and community-centred development. By creating space for dialogue, shared learning, and strategic planning, the initiative has strengthened partnerships and laid a strong foundation for more impactful work in the year ahead.