September 2009

USAID recently awarded VEGA $1.9 million to support USAID’s ongoing economic growth activities in Sri Lanka. This award funds a new program entitled Facilitating Growth in Sri Lanka. The program aims to address the disparity in economic development between conflict-affected and strategic districts in the East and the rest of the country. The prime implementer, International Executive Service Corps (IESC) will lead a team of VEGA member organizations which consists of ACDI/VOCA, ICMA International, Land O’Lakes and Financial Services Volunteers Corps. This team has in-depth knowledge and capacity to effectively implement the goals and objectives of the program. The primary objective, contributing to the economic revitalization of the Eastern provinces will be achieved through the provision of technical services that support USAID Sri Lanka programs PEER and CORE as well as workforce development and other initiatives. The team will provide direct, targeted assistance to SMEs, agribusinesses and related associations and NGOs, and their workforces and will also deliver capacity development at the local government level and to private sector organizations.

IESC, as the prime implementer, brings a market-focused and demand driven approach that it has developed over more than four decades, including ten years in Sri Lanka reducing regional and social inequalities. IESC will direct the area of SME technical assistance and workforce development, and will provide technical assistance in finance as it relates to SMEs. ICMA will be the leading partner in providing training and technical assistance to support the public sector in creating an enabling public sector environment for economic growth, establishing public private partnerships and building public sector capacity for effective implementation of economic development strategies, and city competitiveness. ACDI/VOCA will have primary responsibility for all aspects of the program related to agriculture, except for dairy, and will play a supporting role in the areas of Finance and Labor as they relate to Agriculture. Land O’Lakes will provide technical assistance in the area of dairy within the agriculture program activities. Key local partners that the team will collaborate with include the Sri Lanka Business Development Center, the FCCISL, and the Federation of Sri Lankan Local Government Authorities (FSLGA), to name a few.

By identifying needs, providing technical assistance, building capacity, and fostering innovative solutions and partnership, the team will focus on achieving enhanced economic growth opportunities to targeted individuals and groups in the Eastern province, as measured by increased private sector employment and business opportunities.