LAUNCHED in April 2024

PROGRAMME LOCATION: Sri Lanka. Maruthankerny/Vadamarachi East sub-district (termed Divisional Secretariat) located in the northeast part of Jaffna district in the northern province.

Summary of project, including goals and outcomes

The five-year economic empowerment project started in April 2024 and aims to improve the lives and dignity of fishing and farming communities in the country’s northeast region. These marginalised families were severely impacted by the civil war which ended in 2009 and earlier by the Tsunami in 2004. Working in a funding partnership with the UK’s Halcrow Foundation, the Sanmarga Trust will be supporting 300 people, mainly women, by helping them set up and run their own businesses. An estimated 1,200 family members will also benefit from the programme.

Number of beneficiaries and impact

Approximately 1,200 family members from 300 beneficiaries (this will increase in future years via the Community Society).

Key impacts/outcomes include:

Improved livelihoods/incomes, economic empowerment and dignity for the beneficiary families supported by a sustainable and financially viable Community Society (with 300 members which will increase in future years)

Linked with a network of support services and local government etc.

Increased awareness of alcohol, drug abuse, gender and child rights.

Gayathri has commenced a home-based enterprise producing and marketing washing up liquid with the programme support. She received training for this from FRIENDS.

Varaipirakasam and his wife were victims of the civil war. He has bullet and shrapnel wounds in his arms and legs while his wife is suffering from severe trauma. He has commenced a goat breeding enterprise with support from the programme.

A glimpse of the livelihoods project in the Maruthankerny area in Jaffna district, Sri Lanka.

Programme Dates: April 2024 – March 2029

Programme partners

The Halcrow Foundation from the UK is partnerning the Sanmarga Trust to co-fund the programme. The Forum for Rural Income and Environmental Development Services (FRIENDS), the Sri Lankan registered NGO is the implementing organisation as the local partner of Sanmarga Trust.

Halcrow Foundation

The Forum for Rural Income and Environmental Development Services (FRIENDS)