11 April 2025, Islamabad – Funded by the European Union (EU), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in collaboration with the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), successfully conducted the Enhancing Project Impact workshop from April 8 to 10, 2025, in Islamabad. This three-day event brought together representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs) to enhance their capacities in data management, impact-driven reporting, sustainability integration, and developing synergies for collaborative efforts in preventing violent extremism (PVE).
The initiative is part of UNODC’s broader strategy to advance strategic coherence among partner-led projects and ensure that interventions in preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) are sustainable, impactful, and community-centered. The workshop focused on sharing best practices, encouraging collaboration, and amplifying Impact stories that demonstrate measurable progress in the field.
This activity marks a significant milestone of the Countering and Preventing Terrorism in Pakistan (CPTP) project. Funded by the EU, and executed by UNODC in collaboration with partner CSOs, CPTP aims to empower communities against violent extremism through awareness programs, capacity-building, curriculum development, and grassroots engagement. To maximize impact, effective monitoring, evaluation (M&E), and synergy among partners are essential. This workshop was designed to equip partners with the tools and strategies necessary to enhance their impact while ensuring long-term sustainability and alignment with national and international strategies.
The key objectives of the workshop included: Enhancing M&E Practices for better impact assessment, strengthening data-driven decision-making and reporting, developing synergies across thematic areas for cross-organizational collaboration, aligning partner efforts with UNODC and NACTA’s strategic objectives and integrating sustainability into ongoing projects
More than 35 participants, out of which 14 were female including representatives from various CSOs, attended the workshop.
Day 1 lay the groundwork with opening remarks from Mr. Syed Arslan Zaidi, Advisor on Preventing and Countering Terrorism, emphasizing the role of M&E and impact evaluation in project reporting. Ms. Maya Zamaan, Data Analysis Consultant-UNODC, led interactive discussions around project impact evaluation processes and ensured that the strategic alignment of diverse interventions being implemented by 30 partner CSOs is reflected while reporting for collaborative success and sustainable results
Days 2 & 3 focused on impactful data-driven implementation, overcoming challenges, and practical solutions including a session on visually enhancing reporting via impactful communications by Mr. Noman Manzoor Sr. Communications Consultant, UNODC. Participants explored how M&E contributes to accountability, learning, and long-term sustainability. Two partner organizations, SFEA, IRC and PILDAT, shared best practices for M&E to encourage peer learning & developing synergies.
Participants engaged in group exercises, sharing best M&E practices, and developing sustainability plans, ensuring integrating synergies and long-term projects impact. The workshop reinforced the need to document and share impactful impact stories, which serve as a powerful tool for scaling up, advocacy, and policymaking.
One of the key takeaways from the workshop was developing sustainability plans to encourage continued partnerships beyond the project’s lifecycle. Participants were encouraged to apply learnings to community-driven solutions and contribute to an impacting ecosystem of community engagement. Moving forward, UNODC will provide continuous technical support, facilitating capacity-building and follow-up engagements to track progress and address implementation challenges.
The workshop concluded with a closing ceremony and certificate distribution, attended by Muhammad Humza - Assistant Director NACTA (PVE), who appreciated the commitment of all partners in supporting Pakistan’s mission to foster peace and resilience in society.
