Friday May 01, 2026
Friday May 01, 2026
Friday, 1 May 2026 10:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The European Union has committed € 2.6 million (approximately Rs. 970 million) to a three-year program to strengthen civil society, enhance accountability and improve civic participation in Sri Lanka, with an expected reach of 701,100 people across nine districts.
The EU-funded “Together We Rise” initiative, implemented by World Vision and SAFE Foundation, will support 50 civil society organisations (CSOs) through targeted training, technical assistance and small grants, while also engaging Government institutions, policymakers and 250 social activists. More than 350 CSO staff are expected to benefit from capacity-building and technical support.
The program will commence with a Capacity Development Needs Assessment (CDNA) to identify institutional gaps among participating organisations, followed by tailored Capacity Development Plans. Focus areas include governance and leadership, financial management and compliance, inclusion and safeguarding, gender equity, civic engagement and advocacy, digital capacity and long-term sustainability.
European Union Head of Cooperation Dr. Johann Hesse said: “With this € 2.6 million program, the EU is investing in a stronger partnership with civil society for inclusive and sustainable development. 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 initiative will prioritise underserved and conflict-affected areas, including women-led and youth-led organisations, as well as groups representing persons with disabilities. Selected CSOs will also receive small grants to implement development plans and respond to community-level needs.
SAFE Foundation Project Manager Nirosha Hapuarachchi said: “Youth unemployment (ages 15–29) stands at 34.5% in 2025, according to the Department of Census and Statistics. This highlights a critical gap between the skills possessed by young people and the demands of the labour market. Similarly, women and persons with disabilities continue to face social, economic, and structural challenges that limit their ability to access their rights and opportunities. In response to these challenges, the ‘Together We Rise’ project aims to promote inclusive development by addressing the needs and rights of youth, women, and persons with disabilities, enabling them to achieve sustainable, improved well-being”.
The initiative was introduced through a stakeholder engagement platform involving representatives from the EU, Government institutions, civil society organisations and community leaders.
National Secretariat for Non-Governmental Organisations Director General Chandrarathna D. Vithanage said: “A country can only truly develop when the Government, business sector, and civil society work together. Together We Rise is a timely initiative with clear goals to strengthen the NGO sector, and I look forward to being part of this journey, building knowledge, fostering trust, and empowering village-level communities to take charge of the challenges they face.”
The program will also establish platforms for dialogue between communities, civil society and public institutions to support advocacy and policy engagement.
