Overview
To strengthen democratic governance, USAID partners with the people of Sri Lanka to improve the responsiveness of government institutions and increases informed public participation in governance processes. Responding to good governance and vulnerable population needs, USAID activities build a robust civil society; increase access to balanced, accurate information through the media; promote dialogue, conflict mitigation, and social cohesion among multi-ethnic communities; and build local capacity for disaster response and risk reduction.
Activities
SOCIAL COHESION AND RECONCILIATION : Through a mix of quick impact and longer-term sustainable interventions, USAID strengthens Sri Lankan-led efforts to promote a cohesive Sri Lankan identity; reduce socio-economic disparities and exclusion; and enhance community resilience. Implementing Partner: Global Communities; Total Estimated Cost: $20.5 million; Performance Period: July 2018 - December 2024
SOCIAL COHESION ACTIVITY: Building on the lessons learned from previous interventions, USAID strengthens structures and processes from national to sub-national levels that facilitate social cohesion, reconciliation, and respect for human rights. Further, it seeks to reduce socio-economic disparities and exclusion of vulnerable communities and enhance community resilience. Implementing Partner: Global Communities; Total Estimated Cost: $16.2 million; Performance Period: July 2024 - June 2029
EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT JUSTICE: USAID partners with Sri Lanka’s justice sector institutions to improve their operations and modernize their service delivery to promote the rule of law. To improve transparency, citizen engagement, and strengthen governance, USAID builds the skills and diversity of the Sri Lankan legal professionals. Implementing Partner: Chemonics International Inc.; Total Estimated Cost: $15 million; Performance Period: September 2021 – September 2026
PROMOTING POSITIVE INFORMATION: To support a more responsive and democratic space, the activity equips citizens to engage with media and information critically, and to demand credible, fact-based information to make decisions and build societal resilience to disinformation. Implementing Partner: Private Agencies Collaborating Together Inc. and International Research and Exchanges Board, Inc.; Total Estimated Cost: $15 million; Performance Period: July 2023 - July 2028
INCREASED DEMAND AND ENGAGEMENT FOR ACCOUNTABILITY: This activity empowers citizens to engage the government in the democratic process and improves government accountability. IDEA works with civil society organizations (CSOs) to strengthen their organizational capacity, improve the enabling environment, and support their ability to advocate for good governance reforms. Implementing Partner: Management Systems International; Total Estimated Cost: $14 million; Performance Period: February 2018 - October 2024
BOLSTERING CIVIL SOCIETY: Through this activity, USAID supports Sri Lanka to maintain a vibrant civil society that empowers citizens to advance democratic values. Interventions link CSOs across communities, districts, and regions to have a voice in local governance and national reform processes and strengthen their relevance and continued participation in the country’s democratic governance. Implementing Partner: Private Agencies Collaborating Together; Total Estimated Cost: $19 million; September 2022 - August 2027
WIN AGAINST VIOLENCE: Through this activity, USAID fosters collaboration and networking among government and non-government institutions to advance gender equality and address the needs and rights of people experiencing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The activity promotes citizen and government engagement; supports civil society capacity building and networking for collective action; and addresses critical gaps in clinical, legal, and psychosocial services for SGBV victims. Implementing Partner: Women in Need; Total Estimated Cost: $1.5 million; Performance Period: October 2021 - September 2026
EMPOWERING CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN SRI LANKA: USAID seeks to combat human trafficking and promote safe labor migration by building the capacity of civil society organizations in Sri Lanka. The activity will bridge policy gaps and legal frameworks, increase the capacity of government and civil society partners, and facilitate the creation of networks and spaces for effective collaboration among government, civil society, and the public to address trafficking. Implementing Partner: SAFE Foundation; Total Estimated Cost: $3.9 million; Performance Period: October 2021- September 2026
CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY COLLECTIVES FOR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE: This activity aims to strengthen CSOs in the plantation sector to address legal, policy, developmental, and governance issues that affect people in the plantations and neighboring villages through collective action and advocacy. Interventions have been designed to make impact at all levels through strong CSO networking and collective action for reforms on common issues including laws and policies. Implementing Partner: Institute of Social Development; Total Estimated Cost: $3.5 million; Performance Period: June 2022 - June 2027
SRI LANKA ENGAGE: This program is catalyzing new approaches to deepen and expand civic engagement around locally-led initiatives that promote democratic values and advance governance-related issues. Working through CSOs, the program aims to increase constructive civic engagement on key issues and broaden public discourse about the nature of democracy and priorities for reform. Implementing Partner: DT Global; Total Estimated Cost: $9.7 million; Performance Period: May 2023 - May 2025
ELECTIONS AND POLITICAL PROCESSES ACTIVITY: This activity will contribute to Sri Lanka's efforts to strengthen processes that are credible and responsive to the democratic demands and aspirations of all Sri Lankans. It also will help Sri Lanka’s diverse citizens to foster a democratic culture that supports their active engagement in democratic processes. Implementing Partner: Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening; Total Estimated Cost: $9.5million; Performance Period: June 2024 - May 2029
TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE ACTIVITY: This activity will contribute to Government of Sri Lanka's efforts to improve transparency and accountability in the country particularly through strengthening government oversight and anti-corruption frameworks. Implementing Partner: Tetra Tech and Management Systems International; Total Estimated Cost: $11.4 million; Period of Performance; September 2024 - September 2028