The European Union is funding a three-year, €2.6 million programme to strengthen transparency, accountability and civic participation in Sri Lanka, EconomyNext reported on Thursday.
Branded “Together We Rise” and implemented by World Vision and SAFE Foundation, the initiative will support 50 civil society organisations, train 250 social activists and engage government institutions and policymakers across nine districts. The project is designed to reach 701,100 people, with priority on underserved and conflict-affected areas, women-led and youth-led organisations and groups representing persons with disabilities.
“With this EUR 2.6 million programme, the EU is investing in a stronger partnership with civil society for inclusive and sustainable development,” said Johann Hesse, Head of Cooperation at the European Union delegation in Sri Lanka. “Civil society organisations work alongside public institutions, helping to reach communities, mobilise citizens, and support the implementation of activities that are both national and EU priorities.”
The programme will begin with a Capacity Development Needs Assessment to map participating organisations’ strengths and gaps, with tailored support plans built around governance and leadership, financial management and compliance, inclusion and safeguarding, gender equity, civic engagement, digital capacity and long-term resilience. Selected CSOs will receive small grants to implement their plans.
The funding adds to a sustained EU push on Sri Lanka’s governance reform track. Brussels is the country’s largest GSP+ trading partner, and Sri Lanka’s compliance with the labour, human rights and good governance conventions tied to that scheme remains under continuous EU review. France recently signalled a positive outlook on Sri Lanka’s GSP+ application.
Source: EconomyNext.
