1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) - India

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

24/09/2025

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

2.1 Short description of the Approach

The Capacity Building Process for Participatory Watershed Development is a structured approach to strengthen the technical, managerial, and social skills of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Partner Implementation Agencies (PIAs), and Village-level Institutions (VIs). It includes orientation, training, participatory tools, mentoring, exposure visits, monitoring, and institutionalization. The process enhances competencies, fosters creativity and confidence, promotes community ownership, and ensures effective, sustainable planning, implementation, and management of watershed-based natural resource management and climate-resilient interventions.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Capacity Building Process for Participatory Watershed Development:
Many Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Partner Implementation Agencies (PIAs), and Village-level Institutions (VIs) aspire to implement participatory natural resource management (NRM) using a watershed approach. However, they often lack the technical expertise, practical skills, and experience needed for effective implementation. To address this gap, a structured capacity-building and induction strategy is essential. Such a strategy strengthen the technical and managerial competencies, nurtures creativity, and enhances their confidence to plan, implement, and sustain watershed interventions. In turn, it transforms their approach to resource mobilization, management, and sustainability. A common environmental challenge—such as water scarcity, land degradation, and climate change—creates opportunities to unite communities around shared needs. The Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) has effectively used watershed development as a unifying framework to bring people together, encouraging collective action for improving livelihoods and building resilience—especially among the poor and vulnerable.

Purpose of Capacity Building:
The overarching goal of the capacity-building process is to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and confidence of NGOs, PIAs, and VIs in designing, implementing, and sustaining participatory, watershed-based NRM and climate-resilient development interventions.
Expected Outcomes:
•Improved competence in managing watershed-based NRM and climate change adaptation.
•Strengthened community ownership and participation.
•Effective and sustainable implementation of interventions.
•Positive transformation in approaches to resource mobilization and local governance.
Methodology and Key Steps:
The capacity-building approach comprises a series of interlinked steps, each reinforcing the others. Together, they form a comprehensive and adaptive learning process.

Step 1: Orientation and Sensitization
Objective: Build a common understanding and motivation among all project stakeholders.
Approach:
•Conduct orientation sessions explaining linkages between natural resources, livelihoods, and resilience.
•Share success stories and best practices to inspire commitment.
•Define roles and responsibilities of community-based organizations and NGOs.

Step 2: Capacity-Building Training Modules
Objective: Strengthen technical and managerial skills, especially among field-level stakeholders.
Core Modules:
•Technical Skills: Soil and water conservation, water budgeting, sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and ecosystem-based adaptation.
•Social & Institutional Development: Social mobilization, gender inclusion, facilitation, group dynamics, and strengthening local institutions.
•Project Management: Planning, budgeting, reporting, and monitoring for effective implementation.

Step 3: Participatory Tools and Methodologies
Objective: Equip local groups with practical tools for participatory planning and action.
Tools and Methods:
•Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools such as resource mapping, seasonal calendars, and wealth ranking.
•Participatory Net Planning (PNP) for micro-level watershed planning.
•Use of digital tools and simple MIS platforms for data management and progress tracking.

Step 4: Mentoring and Handholding Support
Objective: Ensure continued learning, quality implementation, and motivation.
Approach:
•On-site technical and managerial guidance by experienced facilitators or resource NGOs.
•Regular review and feedback meetings to troubleshoot challenges.
•Peer learning and cross-visits among different project sites for shared learning.

Step 5: Exposure Visits and Learning Exchanges
Objective: Promote experiential and peer-to-peer learning.
Approach:
•Organize visits to successful watershed and NRM sites.
•Facilitate interactions with experienced community institutions and farmer groups.
•Encourage farmer-to-farmer extension to build local confidence and innovation.

Step 6: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)
Objective: Foster accountability, reflection, and adaptive learning.
Approach:
•Train partners in participatory monitoring, data collection, documentation, and reporting.
•Develop and use simple, participatory monitoring tools to track outcomes and learning.
•WOTR’s existing participatory MEL tools are adapted for partners to ensure consistent data and insights.

Step 7: Institutionalizing Knowledge and Ensuring Sustainability
Objective: Build long-term local ownership and reduce dependence on external support.
Approach:
•Develop local resource persons, for example para-professionals.
•Establish local training and resource centers for continuous on-the-ground support.
•Document best practices, lessons learned, and local innovations for knowledge sharing.
•Gradually transfer leadership and responsibility to community institutions.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

2.7 Type of Approach

• The capacity-building process (approach) combines traditional and indigenous knowledge, recent local innovations, and project or program-based approaches for effective and sustainable watershed management.

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

The main aims/objectives of the Capacity Building Process for Participatory Watershed Development are
• Strengthen technical, social, and managerial skills of NGOs, PIAs, and Village-level Institutions for effective watershed management.
• Promote participatory planning, community ownership, and active engagement in watershed interventions.
• Build project management capacity, including planning, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting.
• Support continuous learning through mentoring, exposure visits, and peer exchanges.
• Ensure sustainability by institutionalizing knowledge, developing local resource persons, and transferring leadership to communities.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	self-mobilization	Community members need to demonstrate their willingness to actively participate in project planning and implementation.
planning	interactive	Farmers, CBO (Community-Based Organisation) members, women, and village-level animators actively participate in planning and review meetings, and contribute by passing resolutions in CBO meetings.
implementation	interactive	Farmers, CBO members, women, and the project team actively participate in executing activities and in collecting relevant contributions.
monitoring/ evaluation	interactive	CBO members participate in joint monitoring visits and share information for impact documentation and research studies.
	interactive

3.3 Flow chart (if available)

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• all relevant actors, as part of a participatory approach

Explain:

The NGO plays a leading role in initiating the process, while community members become actively involved as the process progresses.

Specify on what basis decisions were made:

• evaluation of well-documented SLM knowledge (evidence-based decision-making)

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users
• field staff/ advisers

If relevant, specify gender, age, status, ethnicity, etc.

Community members of all age groups.

Form of training:

• on-the-job
• farmer-to-farmer
• demonstration areas
• public meetings

Subjects covered:

Key concepts and topics include: Environmental degradation, Natural Resource Management, Watershed Development, Participatory planning and monitoring tools, Community participation and contributions, Role of stakeholders, Portfolio management, Women empowerment, Gender inclusion, Sustainable agriculture, and Post-project management.

Comments:

Training modules are designed to meet the specific needs of the project and location.

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:

• on land users' fields

Describe/ comments:

In today’s era of climate change and volatile markets, Indian farmers face growing challenges that affect productivity and food security. Unlike urban areas that benefit from the digital revolution, rural farmers need timely, localized, and actionable information on sustainable farming practices. WOTR’s FarmPrecise app addresses this need, providing a comprehensive, data-driven tool to support informed agricultural decisions. Previously, WOTR developed an Agromet Advisory System delivering crop- and location-specific advisories via SMS using data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). While valuable for weather forecasts, this system lacked personalization and direct farmer engagement.
WOTR launched the FarmPrecise app in 2019 to provide dynamic, farm-specific advisories. Since then, it has grown substantially, with over 1 lakh downloads, covering 30 crops across the Indian States of Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh, and is available in five languages: English, Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, and Odia.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• yes, greatly

Specify the level(s) at which institutions have been strengthened or established:

• local

Describe institution, roles and responsibilities, members, etc.

Village Development Committee (VDC): Responsible for planning and executing project activities, selecting beneficiaries and work sites, managing conflicts, overseeing community contributions, ensuring quality supervision and monitoring, maintaining records, and conducting social audits.

Self-Help Groups (SHGs): Organize women into savings and credit groups and manage SHG operations.

Village Water Management Team: Promote water budgeting, coordinate water governance, and support sustainable water management practices.

Specify type of support:

• capacity building/ training

Give further details:

Capacity-building inputs are delivered in a sequence of trainings aligned with the project cycle tenure.

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

In regular Community-Based Organization (CBO) trainings, the monitoring component is a key focus area.

If yes, is this documentation intended to be used for monitoring and evaluation?

Yes

Comments:

It is used for follow-up purposes as well as for knowledge dissemination.

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:

• sociology
• economics / marketing
• ecology
• technology

Give further details and indicate who did the research:

The baseline survey tool is used for impact documentation. It helps reach beneficiaries to record their quality of life and assess the effects of project activities.

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• < 2,000

Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

Main sources of funding / major donors: National and international donors, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions.

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Yes

If yes, specify type(s) of support, conditions, and provider(s):

Although not through direct financial or material support, land users (community) benefit from improved skills and knowledge, and gain advantages through active participation and involvement.

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• none

If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:

• voluntary

Comments:

While labor is not required, participation of land users in the capacity-building process is essential. Landowners contribute their knowledge and time to share ideas and insights.

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

No

5.5 Other incentives or instruments

Were other incentives or instruments used to promote implementation of SLM Technologies?

No

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• yes

If yes, describe how:

The principle of ‘learning by doing’ is central to the capacity-building process. Communities gain hands-on experience in various project components, developing strong technical and managerial skills at the local level. This enhances sustainability, as trained village institutions such as VDC members and community workers possess the necessary knowledge and skills for continued implementation and impact documentation.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge: The approach allows local and traditional knowledge to be integrated into planning and implementation, making interventions more relevant and practical to the local context.
Enhanced Knowledge on NRM: Land users gain valuable knowledge and information about Natural Resource Management (NRM), helping them make informed decisions on soil, water, and land use practices.
Leadership Development: Community members get opportunities to take leadership roles in planning and decision-making processes, strengthening local governance and ownership.
Social Inclusion: The process ensures participation from all sections of society, including marginalized groups, women, and youth, promoting equity and collective action.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Systematic Approach: The capacity-building process follows a structured and step-by-step framework, ensuring consistency, clarity, and efficiency in planning, implementation, and monitoring.
Tested and Proven Strategy: The approach is based on field-tested methodologies and past experiences, which have demonstrated successful outcomes in participatory watershed and NRM projects.
Operational Guidelines: Well-defined operational guidelines provide a clear roadmap for facilitators and implementing agencies, helping to standardize procedures and maintain quality across different project sites.
Set of Tools: The process includes a comprehensive toolkit—such as participatory planning tools, training modules, and monitoring formats—which helps streamline learning, participation, and evaluation.

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Time Constraints: The capacity-building process requires continuous engagement, which can be time-consuming and may interfere with regular livelihood activities of land users.	Flexible Organization of Capacity-Building (CB) Events: Conduct training and awareness sessions at times and locations convenient for community members to ensure higher participation, especially for women and farmers with field responsibilities. Use of Social Media and Digital Platforms: Share project updates, training materials, and success stories through WhatsApp groups, community radio, and other social media tools to reach a wider audience effectively.
Lack of Confidence to Participate: Some community members, especially those with limited education or exposure, may initially hesitate to engage actively in discussions or decision-making.	Rapport Building: Establishing trust and positive relationships with community members helps facilitators engage participants more effectively and encourages open communication. Interactive Methods – Games, Exercises, Personal Talks, and Corner Meetings: Use participatory and informal methods to make learning enjoyable, build confidence, and promote active involvement among community members. Use of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) Tools: PRA methods like mapping, ranking, and seasonal calendars help participants express local knowledge and experiences, increasing confidence and ownership in the planning process.
Social Constraints and Gender Barriers: Cultural taboos and social norms may restrict women’s participation in meetings or leadership roles, limiting their ability to contribute fully to capacity-building and project implementation.	Encouraging attendance and use of Information: Motivate community members to regularly attend meetings, apply shared knowledge in their practices, and contribute ideas for better project outcomes. Confidence Building Among Men and Women: Conduct targeted sessions to enhance the confidence of both men and women, ensuring balanced participation and reducing gender-based hesitation in community discussions.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Language and Cultural Barriers: Differences in language and cultural practices can make it difficult to communicate technical concepts effectively, especially in diverse and multi-lingual communities.	Rapport Building and Understanding of the Community: Spend adequate time in the field to understand local culture, traditions, and social dynamics. Building mutual trust enhances participation and improves the quality of capacity-building interventions.
Limited Literature in Local Language: The scarcity of training materials and technical documents in local languages restricts understanding and limits wider participation at the grassroots level.	Translation of Reading and Training Materials: Translate manuals, handouts, and key reference materials into local languages to make technical content accessible to all community members and ensure uniform understanding.
Communication and Facilitation Skills: Successful capacity building depends on skilled facilitators. In some cases, inadequate communication or facilitation skills among trainers can reduce the effectiveness of training sessions and field interactions.	Upgrading Skills of Trainers and Facilitators: Provide regular refresher training and exposure opportunities for facilitators to enhance their communication, facilitation, and technical skills—ensuring more effective delivery of capacity-building programs.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES (Revised 2001), Community and Rural Development Department,

Available from where? Costs?

https://megcnrd.gov.in/forms/WSD.pdf

Title, author, year, ISBN:

The Wasundhara Approach. 2013. Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR).

Available from where? Costs?

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/19427351/the-wasundhara-approach-wotr

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Wasundhara Approach, Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR)

URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3YHpkm9qFY&t=364s

Title/ description:

Water Gives Life, Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR)

URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thdevpZ-vio&t=149s

Title/ description:

How to do Wealth Ranking in Watershed

URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygiAy7f7Gpc

Title/ description:

Wasundhara

URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3YHpkm9qFY&t=364s

Title/ description:

A New Beginning

URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBzF7DXbedM&t=2s

Title/ description:

Rising Together: Building Resilient Communities for a Sustainable Tomorrow

URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gCFkwkfwdg&t=2s