Sri Lanka Canada Development Fund Background
Posting Date: 14 May 03
Author(s): Shelagh Savage

The Sri Lanka Centre for Development Facilitation
Established by the Sri Lanka Canada Development Fund

History:
The Sri Lanka Canada Development Fund (SLCDF) has been a project under the aegis of South Asia Partnership Canada and South Asia Partnership Sri Lanka. SLCDF has been financially supported by the Canadian International Development Agency and receives contributions from a number of Canadian NGOs.

SLCDF as a project began in 1987 and is now in its final year of implementation, wrapping up current projects by January 31, 2003. SLCDF’s mission has been to empower communities and institutions to undertake their own sustainable social and economic development. The organization supports the development of a strong civil society in Sri Lanka through the capacity development of NGOs and community-based organizations (CBO’s), and the formation of NGO District Consortia. The work of SLCDF has resulted in a vibrant network of 3300 CBO’s and 270 NGOs organized into 16 District Consortia, and a national apex body, the NGO National Action Front (NNAF), responsible for policy and advocacy issues.

Current Situation:
In January 2002, in order to ensure the sustainability of the network, SLCDF established and registered the Sri Lanka Centre for Development Facilitation, as a non-profit NGO.Its goal is to address the issues of poverty and inequality in Sri Lanka to achieve sustainable human development. It will facilitate the development of a strong civil society and the empowerment of communities by promoting capacity-building and linking resources. Building on already established partnerships, the Centre will strengthen relationships between a strong network of NGOs and District Consortia in Sri Lanka, partners and NGOs in Canada, the private sector and government institutions in Sri Lanka, and international donor agencies.

Since January 2002, the Sri Lanka Centre for Development Facilitation has:

• Received the formal support of the CIDA, South Asia Partnership (SAP) Canada and SAP Sri Lanka to establish itself as an independent non-profit development organization in Sri Lanka.
• Recruited a Board of Governors, constituted of professionals recognized in the sectors of development and/or management in Sri Lanka.
• Registered under the Companies Act as a non-profit, limited liability company to implement development activities.
• Initiated the development of a Strategic Plan for the period 2002-2005, with the support of SAP Canada and external consultants.
• Launched new partnership and collaborative initiatives with the Asia Foundation and the Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA), based in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
• Followed up on contacts made with donors based in Sri Lanka: EU, UNDP, UNHCR, NORAD, DFID, Dutch Embassy, Oxfam Great Britain, IUCN, The Asian Development Bank, The World Bank, GTZ

Currently, discussions are underway in Canada and Sri Lanka to develop the funding base of the new Centre through partnerships with other organizations and institutions. Canadian organizations such as the Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development, Partners in Rural Development-CHF and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) are exploring potential projects and funding. It is also the intention of SAP Canada to continue the long established relationship with SLCDF and the new Centre for Development Facilitation.
Contact Information:
For more information, please contact: in Sri Lanka: Dr Abeydeera, SLCDF Program Director, or Mr Wijetunga SLCDF Program Deputy Director at 508-435, or slcdf@slt.lk; in Canada: Ms Shelagh Savage at 613-241-1333 ext 225, or ssavage@sapcanada.org