Local Empowerment through Economic Development and Reconciliation Project (LEED+)

With funding from DFAT and the Government of Norway, the ILO and its constituents (Government, Employers and Workers Organizations) have been implementing the LEED (Local Empowerment through Economic Development) project since 2011 in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. The project focusses on contributing to a more inclusive and equitable post conflict recovery and development. It is an ILO response to the need to reduce fragility in the post conflict setting of Sri Lanka by creating decent work opportunities and supporting inclusive growth and reconciliation for vulnerable communities. In its first phase the project has worked with a wide range of public and private sector partners, producer organizations, National Chamber of Exporters, Chambers of Commerce, National Sea Food Exporters Association, Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, national and local organizations, national and provincial governments. In its new phase the emphasis continues to be on working with a wide range of stakeholders but with a focus on up-scaling and policy development to have the widest possible impact in the target regions. The LEED project approach includes the adoption of a sustainable livelihood approach focused on the identification of interventions that would address key constraints to growth and development with the aim of opening the gates through which large numbers of participants in key economic sectors would benefit. It recognises that the poor and vulnerable such as smallholder farmers and local fishermen require additional support to benefit from the broader economy, and to ensure that the results are sustainable. And finally, engagement with the private sector is seen as crucial in identifying opportunities, strengthening potential value chains and establishing mutually beneficial linkages. Given the key role that women in post-conflict communities play in fostering re-vitalization of communities and strengthening economic development, the project addresses a range of measures to support gender equality. The inclusive growth approach of this phase also aims to support the economic and social empowerment of disabled persons within the community.

Project symbol

LKA/18/01/MUL

Admin unit

CO-Colombo

Start date

01/07/2018

End date

31/12/2023

Total allocation

6591391

Total expenditure

Status

Closed

6591391

Development Partners

Multi-donor funding LEEDS+ (Australia and Norway)

Country/Countries

Sri Lanka

Outcomes

Outcome 3: Full and productive employment for just transitions