Dear Friends of the CROWN Project,

I’ll keep my notes up top short and sweet this month – since our virtual quarterly meeting in May, our three projects have been busy, busy, busy, finalizing their IRB submissions, HCD workshops, and preparing for implementation of their adherence interventions. We are looking forward to sharing updates from the field over the next few months, so stay tuned for those.

In this month’s CROWN Chronicles, we are excited to highlight updates from our Bihar, India team! Read below to see what our colleagues from Project Concern International (PCI) have been up to since the last convening, as well as learn a little more about PCI’s Project Manager, Swati.

All the best,

Daryl Stephens
CROWN Program Manager

Updates from the field: India

After the convening workshop on May 07, 2024, the India project team held an internal meeting with the Donors CSBC and BMGF at the PIC India office, the following changes were made:

  • Target Segmentation: Upon consultation with the BMGF India Office, the PCI team will now focus the adherence interventions on Pregnant Women and Lactating Women.
  • Ethical Clearances: The project team is actively working on the evaluation design with relevant stakeholders and is in the process of seeking ethical clearances.
  • HCD Plan: The Human-Centered Design (HCD) workshops are temporarily on hold pending final approval from the donor regarding the segmentation of beneficiaries, but some images from the workshops held from March-May are included above and below!

Photo: Focus group discussions.

Current Status:

The project team is consolidating their learnings from the HCD workshops and preparing a report on the needs assessment and prioritisation phase.

What’s Next:

  • Organize priortisation workshops with the State Health Society, Bihar, and other government stakeholders.
  • Conduct ideation workshops.
  • Finalizing partnerships for evaluation and applying for IRB and the Health Ministry Screening Committee of India.

Team Spotlight: Swati

PCI, Bihar, India

We’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on Swati, the Project Manager of IFA adherence project in Bihar, India. With over a decade of experience in the social development sector, she has extensively managed and supported programs aimed at women’s economic & social empowerment and well-being. Swati has been pivotal in designing and implementing Social Behaviour Change Communication programs, developing capacity building and e-learning systems, on various health and nutrition aspects for rural women. Prior to PCI India she worked with the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society also known as JEEVIKA as a Young Professional in Health and Nutrition. Swati holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Development from Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranchi.

Role on CROWN: As a Project Manager, I support in facilitation of the HCD process at the ground level, oversee project implementation, and liaise with government stakeholders and partner organizations.

What the CROWN Project means to me: This project resonates deeply with me as it provides a significant opportunity to work towards the well-being of rural women. Through the CROWN project, we have the chance to make a tangible impact on their health and quality of life through an innovative approach by applying HCD framework at scale. Addressing nutritional deficiencies not only promotes healthier pregnancies and better outcomes for both mothers and children but also empowers entire communities. Through this initiative, we can contribute to broader goals of social development and gender equality, fostering a more inclusive and prosperous society.

Notable achievements to date: In my previous project, I have supported and led the team in developing audio-visuals on different aspects of Routine Immunization. The 3 audio-visuals developed in 2 languages was appreciated by the Government stakeholders which they added in their training curriculum of front-line functionaries at scale.

Hobbies and fun fact: I love painting in my free time, especially Madhubani painting and Mandala art, which helps me relax and relieve stress.

Upcoming Events

August 2024: CROWN Quarterly Convening
Date and agenda to be shared soon!