Project description

Title: Facilitating initiatives for social integration and transformation
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ); European Union (EU)
Country: Sri Lanka
Lead executing agency: Ministry for National Languages and Social Integration (MNLSI)
Overall term: 2002 to 2013

Context

Low levels of social integration are a major cause of violence in Sri Lanka. Individuals and groups frequently suffer social exclusion on the basis of income, education, age, gender, religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation.

State structures are inadequately established at national and local level, and there is virtually no networking between them. This makes dialogue between the state and civil society more difficult. Such dialogue is, however, essential to secure the changes needed in Sri Lankan society if further violence is to be prevented.

Objective

Selected state and civil society actors have a better understanding of social integration and inclusive civic involvement, and put this into practice.

Approach

At national level, the project supports the process of social integration by delivering advisory services; at local level, it helps to implement state programmes and to strengthen civil society organisations. The project also supports networking and dialogue between and within differing levels of the state and civil society, with the aim of putting policy strategies on a solid national footing and ensuring that experience gained during implementation is fed back into the policy-making process.

For example, the partner ministry is advised on formulating and implementing a national policy strategy on social integration. The concept is adopted by other ministries and integrated in the curricula used by state training facilities. At local level, government officials are sensitised to the concerns of citizens and mechanisms for citizen participation are strengthened. The instigation of dialogue forums and networks brings marginalised social groups together, while training and the use of participatory methods equip them to play an active part in political processes. Special attention is paid to supporting women and young people.

Results achieved so far

Support for participatory methods and for dialogue between governmental organisations and civil society has helped to create at least 150 local committees within the framework of which groups that have traditionally been excluded are able to articulate and present their concerns. This helps to resolve peacefully issues that are particularly contentious at municipal level – such as rural road-building and financial planning – by involving all the interest groups. The specific support for women has ensured that more women stood as candidates in the local elections in three regions of the country in March 2011.

Supporting networks and civil society organisations boosts social cohesion and creates the conditions for exchange and dialogue. Previously isolated or polarised groups, such as the widows of former parties to the conflict, can get to know one another. A range of networking events supported by the project has resulted in economic links that enable groups previously excluded from the market to play an active part in the market economy.

Events – often multi-lingual – supported by the FLICT project, such as music, dance and drama performances and book awards, are attracting growing audiences. The exchange between different groups in the population is sparking increasing mutual interest in the cultures of the other groups, and hence boosting mutual recognition, tolerance and respect, which form the basis for peaceful coexistence.

Further information

• Local project website
  Facilitating Initiatives for Social Integration and Transformation (FLICT)
  www.flict.org