Rebuilding a Cooperative Movement in northern Sri Lanka

The project "Rebuilding a Cooperative Movement in northern Sri Lanka" is sponsored by Co-operatives UK since 2015   and it envisages in three core outcomes:

• A shift from a project donor model to a collective enterprise model
• Recognition by internal and external stakeholders in Sri Lanka and the UK of the importance of the Co-operative Model
• A coalition of internal and external stakeholders taking the cooperative movement forward.

From these outcomes there will be three core work streams, all of which are mapped out in the project budget and include:

• Knowledge sharing and mapping the existing situation, including events with other NGO’s on the ground such as the Swedish Cooperative Centre and the ILO.
• Working with existing stakeholders – i.e. signposting other resources and projects; training NGOs working with cooperatives; a training session in the UK for diaspora groups on cooperatives; the possibility of promoting ‘learning representatives’ at the local level; and information on how to access funding.
• Capacity building programmes, which will be the core of the project. The proposed list of topics (based on suggestions in Vavuniya) includes: Train the trainers  - using modern approaches; Farming as a business; Cooperative identity; Business management including finance; Specific programmes for women – leadership and for the large number of war widows; a programmes for district coop officials.