General Information

The ART Sri Lanka Programme, currently working in the Southern Provinces (SP) and UVA, promotes and supports the development of innovative partnerships within a global cooperation framework that links local, national and international actors to work together in achieving the MDGs not only through financial support, but through sustainable partnerships led by local and national development priorities: alternative tourism, gender equality, mental health, local economic development (LED), cultural heritage management, capacity building, urban development and environmental awareness.

Although the Southern Provinces and Uva were not directly affected by the war, the general situation of insecurity concretely affected people's daily life and the functioning of government institutions. In both provinces elections were held, which resulted in a decrease in their institutional operations. Despite this, the Programme was able to increase its number of partners, promote and implement complex and integrated development approaches with the support of the decentralised cooperation, encourage South-South cooperation and innovations exchange initiatives, and implement the first Annual Work Plan in the Province of Uva. The LED efforts and the strengthening of local authorities’ service delivery capabilities produced concrete results in 2009. The Programme managed to achieve these results within governmental strategies framework and in collaboration with various UNDP programmes and UNS agencies.

For Sri Lanka to keep in line with the MDGs greater efforts are needed to address regional disparities and challenges to human development in rural areas. In this sense, the programme works to strengthen local authorities in the planning and coordination of development activities and focus its interventions in the two provinces’ less developed areas.

The Programme’s expansion to the Eastern Province is currently under discussion and will be carried out within the governmental strategy and the Province UNS Early Recovery framework. Its main challenge will be to support the strengthening of trust in the sub-national democratic institutions through democratic and participatory processes and their development management capacity and improved administrative services.

Resource Mobilisation and Execution

Programme at a Glance

Results and Activities at the Local Level

Southern Province (SP)

Ownership

► The Programme's main objectives in the SP are to strengthen the devolution process and to support Government policies for citizen participation. Provincial authorities have devoted considerable time and effort to develop partnerships within the AGSL framework and have actively promoted cross-sectoral and integrated initiatives, as well as the coordination of cooperation partners and government institutions. Throughout 2010, a concerted effort towards the institutionalisation of ART’s methodology and approach to the Local Government Institutions framework will be developed.

Governance

►Organisation of a Diploma in Good Governance (Sri Lanka Institute of Local Governance-SLILG; local, provincial and national authorities; University of Ruhuna; decentralised cooperation partners; UNDP Regional Centres in Colombo and Bangkok; UNDP ‘s SL Country Office). ►Implementation of a Programme for Productivity Enhancement in 6 Pradeshiya Sabhas (provincial and local authorities; Sri Lanka’s Institute for Development Administration). ►Establishment of a Coordination and Common Planning Mechanism for Development Actors (SP Provincial Council).► Development of an Interactive Human platform – “ The University as a Key Development Actor” (University of Ruhuna; the Local Economic Development Agency of Ruhuna – RUEDA; provincial and local authorities; Agricultural Research Institutes).

Education

►Organisation of a Diploma in Early Childhood Care for preschool teachers (National Advisory Committee of the Early Childhood Care Development Programme; Child Secretariat in Colombo). ►Development of a Web based Educational Information System (Provincial Ministry of Education; Zonal Education Offices; government officials). ►Reconstruction of a Tsunami affected school in Matara (Deputation of Huelva). ►Training for education functionaries on Good Governance (Ministry of Education; Zonal Education Offices).

Health and Social Welfare

►Empowerment of persons with disabilities: establishment of a Provincial Resource Centre, training courses for persons with disabilities; training courses for persons with disabilities; awareness raising; promotion of volunteerism and provision of equipment to the Malpetthawa centre (Local Authorities of Galle). ►Enhanced nutrition through the construction of home gardens in Thalawama, Pasgoda and Sooriawewa; awareness raising and elaboration and dissemination of promotional material on community health (mothers’ local organisations; local and provincial authorities). ►Support and promotion of the Ayurveda medicine in the Public Health System: facilitation of 18 mobile medical clinics at community level; promotion of Ayurvedic Medicine integration in the Public Health System and the organisation of an inter-provincial seminar on this theme to be held in February 2010 (Department of Ayurvedic Medicine; Ministry of Traditional Medicine; Provincial Ministry of Health). ►Support the establishment of a Pre-Hospital Emergency Health System: training doctors and nurses in pre-hospital emergency procedures, implementation of a Pre-hospital Emergency Health Plan at the provincial level and support for the establishment of a training centre for Emergency Medicine Technicians (Region of Como).

Environment

►Integrated Coastal Management: establishment of a coastal management coordination committee in Rekawa, elaboration of an integrated coastal development plan and the identification of initiatives for the promotion of eco-tourism, organic farming and alternative livelihood activities for women (University of Ruhuna; RUEDA; Department for Coastal Conservation; NGOs). ►Implementation of alternative local techniques for river bank rehabilitation and conservation in the Matara District: rehabilitation through the use of bio engineering technology, training of local authorities and civil society organisations (SCOs) on innovative bio engineering techniques and awareness raising (Navoda Environment Conservation Society; local authorities; community). ►Promotion of alternative methods for energy and waste management: establishment of two biogas units in hospitals in the Galle and Matara districts (Ministry of Provincial Health; Local Authorities). ►Environmental awareness in schools: creation of home gardens in 15 selected schools in the province within the Provincial Ministry’s ‘Cleaner Schools Programme’ framework.

Cultural Heritage

►Elaboration of a two volume book on the “Archaeological Heritage in the Southern Province” to be finalised in early 2010 (Department of History and Archaeology of the University of Ruhuna; Provincial Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Researches). ►Support the establishment of a training institute for technical staff and professionals on heritage conservation (Galle Heritage Foundation; Department of History and Archaeology of the University of Ruhuna).

Local Economic Development (LED)

►Consolidation of RUEDA: establishment of a Guarantee Fund /first credits disbursed Scheme; analysis of the fisheries, cinnamon and tourism sector, online LED course (FAFFE), support for the provincial tourism strategy (PRODETUR) and the Rekawa integrated development initiative (AEXCID), RUEDA institutional strengthening (FELCOS). ►Strengthening of the Tourism Sector: training and enhanced quality, development of sustainable initiatives for community based cultural and thematic tourism, development of an awareness campaign on women in the tourism sector, establishment of a scholarship scheme to facilitate access of marginalised segments of youth (Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management Southern Province – SLITHM; AECID). ►Enhancement of agricultural productivity in Angunakolapelassa: promotion of LED, creation of the Debbokawa Producers Organisation, construction of agro-wells for irrigation and the promotion of diversified farming, improved market access by small and medium producers and the promotion of natural resources conservation (Producers’ Associations; local authorities; University of Ruhunu; RUEDA).

Gender

►Female Empowerment: construction of a Gender Training Centre and the first shelter for women affected by violence (NGO Pease and Development; Women Development Foundation; local Government and NGOs; UN; CSOs; Women in Need- WIN).

Uva Province

Ownership

Although 2009 was the first year of implementation of the Programme in Uva, the level of commitment and support of the local authorities is significant and it is considered that a high degree of ownership and institutionalisation will be quickly achieved. The Working Groups meetings are held regularly and its members have shown interest, willingness and commitment to accompany and support the various identified initiatives. Cooperation alliances are considered a valuable support to local priorities and receive the subsequent follow-up.

Governance

►Strengthening of devolution structures: capacitating the officers of the Chief Secretariat (CS) and the Commissioner for Local Government (CLG) to deliver efficient and effective public services, training of programme and management assistants, facilitated equipment for the establishment of a data base system for the Provincial Council, renovation and equipment of the CGL office (provincial authorities). ►Modernisation of the Land Registrar offices: equipped two offices to ensure quality and efficient service delivery (national and provincial authorities; National Land Registrar). ►Support to the Uva Community Radio: provided equipment for the operation of the radio station and funds to produce field based radio programs in both Sinhala and Tamil, staff training (provincial authorities; national Telecommunication Commission).

Health and Social Welfare

►Implementation of the Integrated Provincial Water Strategy: support for the development of an integral action plan for sustainable water management (Ministry of Health; National Water Supply and Drainage Board; Provincial Water Committee; provincial authorities; UNICEF; Neo Synthesis Research Centre – NSRC). ►In support to this strategy, a NSRC expert has provided technical expertise on watersheds ecological restoration and bioremediation and the natural filtration of chemical substances (Provincial Water Committee; NSRC; Emilio Moro Foundation). ►Improvements in water access water and sanitation through the construction of a purification unit and 170 sanitary latrines in Medagama (MedagamaPradeshiyaSabha; Bibilamulla Community Based Organisation). ►Promotion and implementation of the National Mental Health Policy at the provincial level (FELCOS Umbria).

Local Economic Development

►Promotion of the production of bee honey: private sector participation in the development and promotion of honey productionequipped and supported the production commercialisation Ceylon Biscuits Limited – CBL). ►Support for the Bandarawela Hotel School (Higher School for Tourism and Hotel Management from Galicia; Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management). ►Conducted a study on small and medium size enterprises (provincial authorities). ►Support for inland fisheries: provided adequate facilities for fingerling rearing at the village level (Uva Wellassa University; National Aquaculture Development Authority). ►Support to the tea plantation sector: establishment of a sub-commission in order to identify a comprehensive strategy for the involvement of AGSL and sector partners, improvements in the community’s life standards, implementation of quick impact projects such as the construction of two volleyball courts and a crèche (provincial and local authorities; the Fund for Plantation Development; NGOs, private enterprises

Environment

►Implementation of a micro-hydro power system in Udaweriya (Ministry of Power; Udaweriya Estate Co- operative Society). ►Alternative energy and solid waste management of the Ettampitiya hospital, provision of a Bio Gas Unit (Provincial Ministry of Health; local authorities).

Results and Activities at the National Level

The main objectives to be reached by Programme at the national level are to strengthen the capacities of national stakeholders in programming and management of local development so that international cooperation resources may be channelled toward the implementation of initiatives developed at the provincial and local level.

Ownership

Although the national authorities have focused their efforts over the past 3 years in resolving the armed conflict, it has actively supported and fostering cooperation alliances in the different selected themes and has promoted the lessons learned.

Communication Strategy

►Development of the AGSL website. ►Production of monthly electronic and quarterly printed newsletters.

Health

►Establishment of an alliance with ART Albaniafor the introduction of the Mother Kangaroo methodology in Sri Lanka (Ministry of Health). ►Development of a mental health strategy (Region of Umbria; Province of Uva).►Foster the integration of traditional medicine in the health system (Ministry of Alternative Medicine).

Agriculture

►Establishment of an Alliance with Indonesia related to the cultivation of corn (Ministry of Agriculture).

Results and Activities at the International

Level

Decentralised Cooperation Alliances

►Consolidation of alliances with the Emilio Moro Foundation, FELCOS and FAFEE, and the beginning of talks with the AEXCID, the Municipality of Malaga, PRODETUR, CEPES and Milan’s Fund. ►Strengthen the decentralised cooperation alliances in Andalucía through a mission to Sri Lanka by representatives from FAMSI, FAFFE and the Provincial Energy Agency of the Council of Granada and the Municipality of Malaga (May 2009). ►Participation of a Sri Lankan delegation in the ART Initiative International Forum in Seville (November 2009). ►Organisation of a technical exchange mission between mental health specialists from Umbria, through FELCOS, and the Province of Uva (October 2009). ► Arranged internships with FAFEE and the University of Granada, and discussions are currently underway with the University of Amsterdam.

Local Economic Development

►Strengthening of RUEDA through the support received from an LED international expert. ►Experiences and best practices exchange between RUEDA, its counterparts and local authorities from Spain and Italy (September 2009). ►Participation of RUEDA’s Technical Director in a LED panel during the ART International Seville Forum and the consolidation of alliances with FAFEE, PRODETUR, AEXCID, Fons Catala/Provincial Government of Barcelona, LEDAs from Lebanon, Colombia, Albania and Italy during the event (November 2009). ►In October 2009, an experience and knowledge exchange took place between tourism professionals from Spain and the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) in Koggala and Bandarawella; participation of a SLITHM delegation and the Chairman of the Ruhunu Tourist Bureau in a two-week mission to Spain and the latter attendance to the seminar on “Sustainable Management and Preservation of Natural and Cultural Touristic Resources.”

Identification and Exchange of Innovations

►Development of a strategy for the sustainable heritage restoration, inspired on the exchanges with the Office of the Historian in Habana (The Galle Heritage Foundation; the Archaeological Department of the Ruhuna University). ►Set-up of Ayurvedic integrated mobile health clinics and organisation of a seminar on the inclusion of traditional medicine (early 2010), following the experience of the seminar conducted in Florence in October 2008. ►Exchange with Albanian institutions on the Mother Kangaroo method (ART Albania).

Training and Capacity Development

►Organisation of a Diploma Course for Local Governance (UNDP’s Regional Centres; European local governments). ►Designed an online course on development of local tourism, fisheries and LED (FAFEE; proximately RUEDA, EMPRENDE and CEPES). ►Institutional support, LED technical and capacity development exchanges directed to RUEDA (Umbrian ADELs and in the nearby future those from Milan and Sicily).

South-South Cooperation

►Development of South-South cooperation initiatives between Sri Lanka and Indonesia in areas such as education and culture, health and social welfare, and agriculture (win specific reference to technical innovations on corn cultivation) (Governors of the Southern Province and Gorontalo; Sri Lanka’s “Seed and Planting Material Development Centre”).

Knowledge Sharing

►Development of a knowledge sharing initiative through the AGSL website (http://agsl.lk.undp.org) as a space to stimulate the exchange of information and knowledge, as well as the interaction among diverse actors. This will be bested with the alliance between Uva and Umbria for promoting the decentralisation of mental health services in Sri Lanka.

The Programme's Challenges for 2010

In 2010 AGSL will have to primarily face the challenges related to the political context and the solutions that should be found for the internally displace people still remaining in government camps. The political environment will have direct impact on the programme’s abilities to raise funds and mobilise new partners. As a consequence, two scenarios are possible: institutionalising the programme in the Southern Province and expanding it to the Eastern Province or the phase out of  the Programme and concentration on the institutionalisation of the ART methodology and approach.

The main risk in the Eastern Province is that political instability and insecurity both affect the Programme’s capacity to implement the planned activities in the field, mobilise funds and interest new partners to actively engage in partnerships with counterpart local governments and institutions. Regarding the Southern and Uva provinces, the overall political context and more specifically the way forward regarding the devolution process will determine how meaningful and far-reaching the role of local governments will be in the future. Serious efforts will have to take place for the devolution process to include sub-national participatory planning and fiscal decentralisation; hence more responsibilities and possibilities for sub-national governments to responsively govern their respective territory. The further the devolution process is taken, the more meaningful the institutionalisation of the ART methodologies and tools will be.

Contacts

Mr. Neil Buhne, UNDP Resident Representative, UN Resident Coordinator: neil.buhne@undp.or

Mr. Douglas Keh. UNDP Country Director:  Douglas.keh@undp.org

Mr. Alexandre Lamige, Chief Technical Advisor a.i  ART GOLD Sri Lanka: alexandre.lamige@undp.org