Disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in rural areas, especially in conflict-affected and economical lagging regions, have equitable and enhanced access to more and better jobs and expeanded product markets

This project seeks to support efforts to build natural disaster resilience in the dry areas in the North and the flood prone regions in the Southwest of Sri Lanka, where natural disasters have become a recurring feature. It adds an important dimension to the current ILO technical cooperation portfolio on livelihood development and promoting decent work in the rural economy. Working closely with government agencies in charge of existing rural development schemes and disaster relief, the project will introduce improved land and water resource management practices that build resilience and mitigate the effects of extreme weather patterns. The envisaged measures include renovating existing water harvesting and distribution schemes, improved land use practices to reduce surface water runoff in watersheds, soil conservation, reforestation, introducing resilient crops and new farming practices, and ensuring that ecologically sound farm products are integrated into effective value chains and given adequate market access. Infrastructure works will make use of employment-intensive approaches thereby offering new job opportunities already during the development works. The introduction of crops and improved farming practices, value chain and market development will rely on the approaches already developed in the ILO support to Micro and Small Medium Enterprises and cooperatives in Sri Lanka. Besides the strengthened resilience of households, jobs and local businesses, the expected results of the project include an increased capacity to mainstream climate adaptation measures within relevant government agencies and their national rural development schemes. The project contributes to the achievement of SDG target 13.1 (Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters) and SDG target 8.5 (Promote full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men).

Project symbol

LKA/16/02/RBS

Admin unit

CO-Colombo

Start date

01/12/2017

End date

15/01/2022

Total allocation

923681

Total expenditure

Status

Closed

923681

Development Partners

Core voluntary funds (RBSA)

Country/Countries

Sri Lanka

Outcomes

Outcome 3: Economic, social and environmental transitions for full, productive and freely chosen employment and decent work for all