The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Government of Sri Lanka, is set to launch initiatives aimed at enhancing community resilience through climate-smart agriculture and inclusive mine action. This move is bolstered by the Government of Japan’s reaffirmation of support for Sri Lanka’s development, as highlighted by the announcement of two new projects funded through its Japanese Supplementary Budget (JSB). These projects are designed to strengthen climate resilience in at-risk communities and promote gender equality, significantly contributing to the country’s sustainable recovery and inclusive development efforts.
The first initiative, entitled “Net-Zero, Nature-Positive Dairy – Climate-Smart Dairy Value Chains through Energy Transition & Nature-Based Solutions,” aims to create a Climate-Smart Dairy (CSD) ecosystem. This project will incorporate inclusive green technologies, sustainable farming practices, and market-driven strategies to lower emissions, improve dairy production, and enhance the adaptive capacity of vulnerable populations. In collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development and Social Security, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Energy, this project seeks to directly benefit 750 smallholder farmers and indirectly impact over 5,000 individuals, including their families, aspiring youth agri-entrepreneurs, veterinary officers, animal health professionals, local milk collectors, and other community members, with a particular emphasis on women and youth in the climate-sensitive districts of Kilinochchi and Nuwara Eliya. With a funding allocation of USD 1.5 million, this initiative builds upon successful practices from previous projects, demonstrating the potential of renewable energy-driven modernization for rural areas.
The second initiative, titled “Gender Responsive Advancement and Operational Enhancement of Women Deminers in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka,” seeks to bolster the capabilities and operational efficiency of women involved in mine clearance, particularly in the districts of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. According to the UNDP’s 2023 Multidimensional Vulnerability Index, these areas are among the most vulnerable in the country, with vulnerability rates of 70% in Kilinochchi and 72% in Mullaitivu. This project, which has a budget of USD 1.16 million and is executed in partnership with the Ministry of Housing, Construction, and Water Supply, aims to empower women in the mine action sector while promoting gender equality and community development in regions impacted by ongoing crises, including past conflicts and economic challenges. The project will also leverage advanced technologies to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of mine clearance operations, thereby facilitating land clearance, resettlement, and sustainable livelihood recovery for the affected communities.
These initiatives reaffirm the commitment of UNDP and the Government of Japan to assist Sri Lanka in its transition towards a more climate-resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural sector. By empowering smallholder farmers and vulnerable communities, these projects aim to foster resilient livelihoods and support the nation’s net-zero development objectives.
Overall, these efforts enhance the capabilities of women deminers in at-risk areas, promote safer land clearance, resettlement, and sustainable livelihoods, while also enabling smallholder farmers to adopt climate-smart practices and green technologies. This dual approach not only aims to increase agricultural yields and reduce emissions but also enhances human security, thereby empowering marginalized communities and advancing progress towards Sri Lanka’s net-zero development goals and a more inclusive, sustainable future.
