A participatory evaluation of an intergenerational project on the lives of the older adults in rural central India using the most significant change approach.

Introduction: Intergenerational engagement programs aim to foster meaningful interactions between older adults and younger generations by using community resources and participation. These interventions strive to create age-integrated families and communities sustainably, emphasizing the valuable contributions older adults can make to the growth and development of children and adolescents.

Methods: This study, part of the 'Sahjeevan: Chaitanya natyanche' project in 18 villages of Wardha district, India, adopted a participatory qualitative approach using the Most Significant Change (MSC) method. Stakeholders, including panchayat members, master trainers, peer trainers, and Anganwadi workers, participated in identifying significant community changes. Initially, ten stories highlighting changes resulting from the interventions were collected and categorized into three domains: individual, family, and community-level changes. A selection rubric was developed to assess the significance of these stories. Subsequently, a selection committee panel evaluated and selected the five most significant stories of change.

Results: The selected stories provided comprehensive insights into the key areas where the project activities positively influenced beneficiaries' lives. These narratives offered an in-depth understanding of both beneficiaries' and stakeholders' perspectives on the project's implementation and impact.

Conclusion: The participatory approach proved effective in capturing meaningful narratives of intergenerational engagement. The process facilitated reflection and dialogue among community members, highlighting how older adults contributed to the growth and learning of younger generations. This engagement fostered stronger intergenerational bonds, reinforcing the project's vision of building age-integrated communities where mutual learning and support thrive within the Indian context.