ILO, Australia and Norway unite to ‘GROW’ resilience in Northern province

The International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with the Government of Australia and the Government of Norway, has launched the GROW Project –  Generating Resilient Opportunities for Work – a transformative $ 2.8 million initiative aimed at strengthening livelihoods, climate resilience, and social empowerment for marginalised communities in Sri Lanka’s Northern province.

The Northern province — home to over 75,000 women-headed households and more than 21,000 persons with disabilities — continues to face significant challenges following years of conflict, economic hardship, and intensifying climate hazards. GROW addresses these intersecting challenges head-on through a three-pronged strategy: economic empowerment, social inclusion, and climate resilience.

Speaking on the relevance and importance of the project for the province, Northern province Governor Nagalingam Vedanayagam stated, “With the support of the Government of Australia and the Government of Norway, we have seen the positive impact of collaborative and innovative efforts to rebuild our economy and restore livelihoods. The GROW project demonstrates our continued joint commitment to advance inclusive, climate-resilient development for our communities.”

GROW builds on more than a decade of successful interventions under the ILO’s Jobs for Peace and Resilience (JPR) program including the LEED, LEED+, EGLR, PAVE projects. Implemented from 2025 to 2028, the project focuses on creating lasting and inclusive employment through climate-resilient agriculture and aquaculture, social empowerment, and market system development.

“Australia and Sri Lanka’s development partnership is built on joint development solutions to support the growth of a strong, successful Sri Lanka. Australia is excited to partner, alongside the Government of Norway, with the International Labour Organization for the GROW program. This will build on our previous engagements in the North to ensure equitable growth, climate-resilient development and resilience for the region.” said Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens.

Funded with $ 1.9 million from the Government of Australia and $ 900,000 from the Government of Norway, GROW is aligned with both countries’ development strategies — emphasising women’s empowerment, disability inclusion, food security, and climate adaptation. “Norway is delighted to support the GROW project and believe that it can make a difference in the lives of many people of the Northern province. Reconciliation is not a destination — it is a process. GROW can contribute positively to this process,” said Embassy of Norway to India, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan Deputy Head of Mission Martine Aamdal Bottheim.

ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives Director Joni Simpson stated, “GROW brings together farmers, cooperatives, companies, government, and civil society in a model that is collaborative, inclusive, and evidence based. Together with our partners we believe this project will build stronger livelihoods, more cohesive communities, and a fairer future for all.”

GROW will develop and expand partnerships with private companies in high-potential value chains such as gherkin, seaweed, horticulture, and tilapia, creating sustainable livelihoods, promoting digitisation, and community-led empowerment. The programme will also strengthen government extension services and embed long-term sustainability through institutional capacity building and support for short food value chains.