Country Strategy

New Strategy: Economic and Social Transition (EAST)

SUPPORTING REGIONAL GOVERNANCE (2008-2012)

The Supporting Regional Governance (SuRG) program, targeting the Eastern Province and adjoining districts, aims at creating structures and developing capacity for increased citizen engagement in regional and local government; strengthening inter-community reconciliation and promoting social equity. SuRG is building on the successful USAID Democracy and Governance Program, addressing the immediate development needs resulting from the on-going conflict. The new program will work towards supporting the positive transformation in the East that began in 2007.

 

The program seeks to:

 

1. Improve social equity :

• The SuRG program will support activities to increase social equity in districts of the Eastern Province that are experiencing the positive benefits of post-conflict transformation. To promote regional integration and ensure the SuRG program partners with all communities, the program will also support activities in the adjoining districts of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Monaragala. The program will support the development of protection and advocacy institutions to develop technical and managerial skills of their staff and members.
  

2. Strengthen regional and local government :

• SuRG will target the technical and administrative capacity of regional and local government officials to improve governance in the Eastern Province. A cross cutting theme in this component will be improving citizen participation in the processes of government in the region.

3. Promote citizen interaction with government institutions and engage in local reconciliation processes :

• SuRG will promote citizen participation in the reconciliation processes and support community based initiatives to mitigate local conflict and engage in community development in partnership with government institutions. Target areas will include multi-ethnic and recently conflict-affected communities.

4. Strengthen the capacity of journalists and media outlets located in the Eastern Province :

• SuRG will provide training for print and radio journalists to improve reporting of regional news, and support program development for regional media outlets on the impact of national developments on the regions.

Partner ministries: Ministry of Nation Building, Ministry of Provincial and Local Government, and Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration.
US Contractor implementing the SuRG program: ARD Inc.

 

 

CONNECTING REGIONAL ECONOMIES (2008-2012)

Economic growth programming can enhance social and economic security and help establish conditions which will underpin a political solution to the conflict. The CORE program builds on the well established USAID Economic Growth program, which has successfully worked to create value chains in rural agricultural industries in Sri Lanka for several decades.

 

The program seeks to:

 

1. Support livelihood development for vulnerable populations :

• CORE will restore economic activity to war-torn populations at the household level by supporting the establishment of small businesses that can participate in value-chain development activities, thereby improving access to new markets.

2. Promote competitiveness of agriculturally based regional markets :

• The program will strengthen indigenous private sector organizations, identify value chains with potential for growth, and upgrade small firms and farmers through provision of technical assistance.

3. Ensure groups in conflict-affected areas participate in value chains :

• CORE will facilitate access to finance, strengthen financial service providers, provide business and agricultural services, promote access to capital equipment and small infrastructure, and enhance utilization of Information and Communications Technology applications.

4. Implement a workforce development strategy :

• The program will assess gaps in the private sector job market and ensure training programs meet market demands, develop public-private partnerships, and promote apprenticeships and on-the-job training.

5. Promote a business-enabling environment :

• CORE will engage in policy dialogue and provide technical assistance to the Sri Lankan Government and support business group networks to carry out policy advocacy.

 

Partner ministries: Ministry of Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development, Ministry of Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services, Ministry of Export Development & International Trade, and Ministry of Enterprise Development & Investment Promotion