Nov 14, 2017 (LBO) – The European Union will contribute 5.4 billion rupees to reduce poverty in the Uva and Central provinces by improving the income of poor people living in rural areas.
The grant is a part of the EU's wider programme of support to rural development in Sri Lanka and will benefit rural communities in the Monaragala, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya and Matale districts.
It will be operational for five years (2017-2022) and be implemented by five partner organsiations.
CARE, international humanitarian agency will assist in establishing and strengthening small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are led by women and youth from rural and estate communities.
ACTED, an international Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development will aim to create jobs and increase income levels by building capacity and bringing value-addition to local farming SMEs, specifically targeting women-led businesses in dairy, vegetables, flori culture, fruits and spice value chains.
Oxfam's work will entail improving income and providing work opportunities.
"This programme has been designed with the needs of the poorest in mind," Tung-Lai Margue, the Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, said at the launch of the programme.
"From better water and sanitation to increasing technical knowledge and empowering women, people in these rural areas should see a marked improvement in their lives.
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