We are funding a five-year project to improve the lives and dignity of fishing and farming communities in northeastern Sri Lanka.
With the help of funding partner Sanmarga Trust, we will support the economic empowerment of 300 people, mainly women, by helping them set up and run their own businesses. An estimated 1,200 family members will also benefit from the programme.
Support networks
The beneficiaries are selected from 14 villages in Jaffna District in the northern province. These communities have been marginalised for decades and were severely impacted by the Sri Lankan civil war, which ended in 2009, and the tsunami in 2004. A local non-governmental organisation called Forum for Rural Income and Environmental Development Services (FRIENDS) is working closely with the communities to implement the project. After identifying beneficiaries, FRIENDS will help them set up and run their own businesses by providing training, support and marketing. It will also create support networks that increase awareness of alcohol, drug abuse, gender and children’s rights. A core component of the project is the formation of a registered Community Society. This will have locally-elected leaders and provide long-term support to the beneficiaries, ensuring the programme is sustainable beyond five years.
Small grants
The new businesses, which include producing and selling washing up liquid to shops and manufacturing eekel brooms made from palm leaves, will be boosted with an initial small grant and interest-free ‘micro’ loans from the project. Top up loans with interest charges will be available via the Community Society. Other women from these communities who want to join the society can do so in time, and apply for loans and support to set up their own businesses. The programme is modelled on a successful similar project currently being completed in another district by Sanmarga Trust and FRIENDS.
Photo credits: Sanmarga Trust
