“BREAKING BARRIERS – BUILDING BRIDGES”
Mission -1994-2014
Peace Building Through Nonviolence
BREAKING BARRIERS – BUILDING BRIDGES” was a mission-driven initiative that aimed to foster peace and reconciliation through nonviolent means. This project, in collaboration with Diakonia International, was active from 1994 to 2014 and focused on addressing social, political, and ethnic divides in conflict- affected regions. Its core objectives included creating platforms for dialogue, promoting mutual understanding, and fostering cooperation among different communities in order to reduce violence and build sustainable peace.
Key Aspects of the Project:
– Nonviolent Peacebuilding: The project was rooted in the principles of nonviolence, aiming to create lasting peace through dialogue, community engagement, and conflict resolution rather than through the use of force.
– Interfaith and Intercommunal Dialogues: Emphasizing inclusivity, the project facilitated dialogue between diverse groups, including religious, ethnic, and political communities, to bridge divides and reduce tensions.
– Capacity Building: It aimed at enhancing the capacity of local communities and grassroots organizations to address conflicts, manage tensions, and promote peacebuilding through training, workshops, and resources.
– Partnership with Diakonia: Diakonia, an international development organization, worked in partnership with local organizations, offering expertise and resources to implement peacebuilding strategies in various conflict zones.
– Impact: Over its 20-year run, the project made significant contributions to peacebuilding in regions affected by ethnic strife, armed conflict, and social polarization. It helped build local capacities for long term peace and fostered understanding between previously hostile groups.
Project Activity
NVCR skills and Methods Training
In-depth NVCR skills and Methods Training
NVCR for NGO Consortiums
NVCR Training Camps
Spiritual and Mental Development Camps
Non Violence Camps
Preliminary community gathering for NVPM
Ahimsa Societies Development
Research, Studies on CR methods)
International and National sharing
Result publication of case studies
Stickers, Posters, etc on NV and CR
Magazine, Newspapers publication
Non Violent Cadres(NOVICA)
Non Violent Messengers (NOVIM)
Non Violent Action Teams (NOVAT)
Exchange and Integration between North and East (25)
Experience sharing by Non Violent ActivistsExposure to Non Violent & Spiritual Centres
Non Violent Experience sharing and lifestyle camps
NVCR intervention workshop
Lecture, Talk shows etc
Inter-religious programmes
Network Training on Nonviolence
Community Based Organisation gathering for developing the network for Community Organisation
Forum for Solidarity, Action and Development (C0NFSAD)
Project Title: Breaking Barriers – Building Bridges – towards a Strengthened Civil Society Engagement for Social Justice
Duration: January 10, 2019 – January 09, 2020
Geographic Focus: Kandy, Galle and Hambantota Districts With USAID/IDEA support, Samadanam will be strengthened as a CSO actor in the region to promote and raise awareness of the rights of minority religious groups
Overall Purpose
The project aims to build trust, integration, and harmonious living among multi-ethnic communities through effective civil society activism. The focus will be on fostering inter community understanding and collaboration, particularly through the promotion of social justice, minority rights, and the active involvement of civil society organizations (CSOs).
Project Description:
This project, with the support of USAID/IDEA, focuses on strengthening Samadanam as a key civil society organization (CSO) actor in the region. The objective is to empower Samadanam to actively promote and raise awareness about the rights of minority religious groups, with a specific focus on their social, cultural, and legal rights. Through a range of community engagement activities, the project will aim to break down existing barriers between different ethnic and religious communities, providing a platform for dialogue, trust-building, and collaboration. The initiative will address key challenges such as discrimination, marginalization, and lack of representation of minority groups in decision-making processes.
Key activities will include:
Conducting awareness programs on the rights of minority religious groups.
Organizing dialogues and community-building workshops to foster understanding and integration among different ethnic and religious groups.
Facilitating the creation of networks of civil society actors to advocate for social justice and the protection of minority rights.
Promoting collaborative efforts for peaceful coexistence and mutual respect across diverse communities.
Expected Outcomes:
Strengthened capacity of Samadanam as a civil society actor in the region.
Increased awareness and understanding of the rights and needs of minority religious groups.
Improved relationships and cooperation between diverse ethnic and religious communities in Kandy, Galle, and Hambantota.
Increased advocacy and visibility for social justice issues, especially concerning the protection of minority rights.
By the end of the project, it is anticipated that these efforts will contribute to a more integrated and harmonious society, where civil society plays an essential role in safeguarding social justice and equality for all communities.
Project Title: Sri Lankan Civil Society Action Forum (SL-CAF)
Overall Goal: To build capacity of regional/ peripheral groups of media and civil activists, and the SLCAT networkto contribute to protect and strengthen oversight and activism for upholding democracy, rule of law, civil society participation, and FoE and dissent
Project Objective
The “Sri Lankan Civil Society Action Forum (SL-CAF)” focuses on promoting public sector accountability, transparency, rule of law, and civil society participation through capacity development for:
The 10,000-strong Samadanam volunteer base (Ahinsa movement, meaning nonviolence).
Investigative journalism platforms in Sri Lanka.
Specific Objectives:
Equip 10,000 Ahinsa members with knowledge and skills through physical (1,000 participants) and online (9,000 participants) training on digital and physical security, anti-corruption mechanisms, leadership, communication, project management, and more within 12 months.
Enable capacitated Ahinsa members to effectively engage with policymakers and the public on public sector accountability, rule of law, media freedom, and democratic institutions within 12 months.
Establish and operate a strong democracy media platform for trained journalists and the public to act as “Citizens’ Journalists” in addressing public accountability, transparency, and rule of law violations within 12 months.
Activities:
Training and Capacity Building:
Conduct 20 physical training programs for 1,000 Ahinsa members.
Host 10 online advanced training sessions for 1,000 members.
Hold 90 webinars targeting 9,000 Ahinsa members.
Civil Engagement:
Conduct 10 mobile citizenship services to gather grassroots feedback.
Present findings at the Parliamentary Select Committee level.
Hold 10 district/national press conferences to raise awareness.
Establish 31 Civil Society Action Forums (CAFs) at various governance levels.
Media Initiatives:
Launch “Democracy TV” on YouTube to counter misinformation.
Develop the “Democracy App” to connect stakeholders and promote advocacy.
Form an editorial board to screen and disseminate news.
Conduct Training of Trainers (TOT) for 25 investigative journalists.
Anticipated Impact: The SL-CAF project aims to:
Strengthen public accountability and transparency.
Empower civil society participation and media freedom.
Foster democratic institutions and rule of law.
Equip citizens with tools to hold public institutions accountable and promote inclusive, participatory governance.
Project Title: “Blending Bonds – Building Bridges” Phase II
Project Location (Target Districts): Selected four estates in Kandy and Nuwara Eliya Districts, focusing on plantation communities.
Duration of Project: 12 Months (November 1, 2018 – November 30, 2019)
Amount Requested from Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust: Sri Lankan Rupees Three Million (30 Lakhs) (LKR 3,000,000)
Objectives of the Project
To integrate estate sector communities with general communities of Sri Lanka through capacity building and empowerment, enabling them to meet their basic rights and needs for a better life.
Target Group/Direct Beneficiaries
Men, women, youth, children, and students from estate and village sectors.
Final Beneficiaries
The selected estate communities and existing community-based organizations (CBOs).
Expected Results
A network and support system are established, empowering estate sector communities with the capacity, environment, and space to meet their fundamental rights and needs.
Differences between communities are reduced, diversities are respected, and prejudices and stereotypes are broken.
Estate and village communities understand each other’s common issues and work collaboratively to address them, building bridges of reconciliation through nonviolence, justice, equality, and integrity.
Key Activities
Capacity Building Training of Trainers on rights-based approaches, conflict handling and resolution, integration action, and peacebuilding.
Integration actions through nonviolent work camps and cultural events (“Gemi Jana Madala”).
Art competitions featuring drawings, poems, and essays by children.
Media program titled “Thea Coppe Kadulu Kathawa” (Tear Drops of the Cup of Tea).
Festival visits and cultural exchanges.
National symposium and get-together at the conclusion of the project.
Project Title: Promoting Official Language Policy in Sri Lanka: National Language Equality Advancement Project (NLEAP)
Project Duration: Phase 1: 2014–2015 | Phase 2: 2020–2022
Geographic Focus: Central Province, Sri Lanka
Donor Support: Canadian Aid – NLEAP
Project Description
The National Language Equality Advancement Project (NLEAP) focuses on promoting and advancing the official language policy in Sri Lanka, emphasizing the equal recognition and use of Sinhala and Tamil as official languages. The project envisions creating a bilingual society where both languages are equally utilized for public communication, governance, and daily interactions.
The project has been implemented in two phases:
Phase 1 (2014–2015)
This phase aimed to raise awareness and advocate for the equal status of Sinhala and Tamil as official languages. The goal was to enhance understanding of language equality and its significance for social cohesion, government services, and inclusive development. Key activities included:
Conducting advocacy campaigns targeting policymakers, government officials, and the public.
Promoting the inclusion of language equality in national policies and legal frameworks.
Training civil servants and local government officers to provide bilingual services.
Phase 2 (2020–2022)
Building on Phase 1 achievements, this phase focused on institutionalizing language rights and increasing community participation in advocating for linguistic equity. Key objectives included:
Strengthening civil society actors, particularly in the Central Province, to advocate for language rights.
Promoting bilingual policies at the local level in government offices, public services, and education systems.
Empowering communities, including marginalized groups, to engage in language advocacy and demand access to services in both official languages.
Facilitating dialogue between Sinhala and Tamil speakers to foster mutual respect and ensure equal opportunities for all citizens.
Key Activities:
Awareness Campaigns: Raising awareness of language rights and the importance of a bilingual society.
Training Programs: Equipping public servants, educators, and community leaders with skills to use both official languages effectively.
Policy Advocacy: Engaging with policymakers to strengthen the implementation of the Official Language Act and promote language equality.
Community Mobilization: Organizing grassroots movements and discussions to support bilingualism and language equity.
Expected Outcomes:
Enhanced Public Awareness: Greater understanding of the importance of language equality, especially in Central Province.
Improved Bilingual Services: Strengthened capacity of government bodies to deliver bilingual services and information.
Empowered Communities: Communities are better equipped to advocate for language rights and bilingual policies.
Institutionalized Language Equality: Significant progress in implementing official language policies across government and society.
Proposed IKG Title: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges in Kandy
Project Title: SCORE (Strengthening Cohesion, Reconciliation, and Empowerment) – Promoting a Cohesive Sri Lankan Identity
Project Sub-Purpose: Promote a cohesive Sri Lankan identity through community-driven reconciliation and peaceful engagement.
Geographic Focus: Medadumbara & Akurana, and national/divisional levels across Sri Lanka, with an emphasis on rural and conflict-affected communities.
Project Narration
The SCORE Project aims to foster a cohesive Sri Lankan identity through citizen-driven initiatives, bridging divides among ethnic, religious, and community groups. A core focus is on strengthening networks and civil society organizations (CSOs) to actively promote social cohesion, peace, and reconciliation across divided communities.
Key Components and Activities
Citizen-Driven Initiatives & Networks Strengthening:
Enhance citizen participation by establishing and strengthening local-level initiatives.
Create networks of community leaders, CSOs, youth, women, and religious representatives to resolve communal issues and promote peace.
Focus on interpersonal and intergroup relationships, emphasizing social inclusion and harmony.
Indicators for Tracking Progress:
1.2.3: Number of individuals receiving civic education through USG-assisted programs.
1.2.4: Number of CSOs receiving USG assistance engaged in advocacy interventions.
1.2.2: Number of USG-supported events, trainings, or activities designed to build support for peace or reconciliation.
Divisional-Level Reconciliation Action Teams:
Form reconciliation action teams with interreligious representatives, community-based organization leaders, youth, women, and CSO leaders.
Address specific communal issues and promote peacebuilding through community-driven solutions, conflict mediation, and trust-building initiatives.
Social Inclusion and Harmony:
Focus on marginalized groups such as women, youth, and religious minorities.
Engage youth in community campaigns, interfaith dialogues, and service projects to empower them as advocates for social change.
Create safe spaces for religious minority groups to engage in dialogue, reducing religiously motivated violence and promoting equality.
Cross-Cutting Themes
Youth Participation: Equip youth with tools for addressing social problems and contributing to peaceful solutions through peer education, mentorship, and leadership development.
Gender Equality: Prioritize women’s leadership in reconciliation action teams, ensuring inclusive and sustainable solutions to communal tensions.
Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE): Address root causes of division and discrimination to promote long-term peace and stability.
Expected Outcomes
Strengthened Civil Society and Citizen Engagement: Empowered CSOs and citizens actively participating in peace and reconciliation initiatives, forming robust local-level action teams.
Increased Social Cohesion: Improved relationships and cooperation among ethnic, religious, and social groups through direct engagement activities.
Youth and Gender Empowerment: Greater participation of youth, women, and marginalized communities in reconciliation processes, fostering social inclusion and reducing vulnerability to violence.
Sustainable Peacebuilding: Long-term improvements in social harmony and conflict resolution mechanisms, enhancing community resilience to ethnic and religious tensions.
PROJECT TITLE: YES (Youth Engagement in Society) for Social Cohesion in Kandy District
Project Proposal: Creating Inclusive, Youth-Friendly Spaces for Social Cohesion in Central Province
Project Objective
The objective of this project is to create alternative, inclusive, and youth-friendly spaces for engagement in society to promote social cohesion. The exclusion faced by youth in Central Province, driven by structural and psychological factors, cannot be effectively addressed without providing opportunities that are interesting and meaningful to them. These spaces will enable greater interaction, discussion, deliberation, and mutual activism, fostering an environment of inclusion and collective action for positive social change.
Target Group
Youth (aged 15–30) from various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds in Central Province.
Government and non-government stakeholders at the regional level.
Community leaders, youth leaders, NGOs, CSOs, schools, and other relevant institutions.
Project Activities
Project Introduction and Stakeholder Engagement
Conduct 4 meetings with regional government and non-governmental stakeholders to introduce the project, discuss the approach, and ensure cooperation.
Strengthen partnerships with key community organizations and youth networks.
Establish a framework for ongoing collaboration throughout the project.
Pocket Meetings with Youth
Conduct 4 pocket meetings per division (20 total) to discuss youth-related challenges and opportunities for engagement.
Foster a sense of ownership and inclusion among youth in the project.
Review Meeting for Selection of Youth Forum Members
Organize a review meeting to finalize the selection criteria for youth forum members.
Select 100 youth to actively participate in Jana Karaliya events and other activities.
Jana Karaliya (Forum Theater) Events
Conduct 8 Jana Karaliya events over 3 days in different communities.
Day 1: Training on peacebuilding, leadership, rule of law, and social cohesion.
Day 2: Group work and investigative experiences.
Day 3: Drama presentation highlighting community issues and solutions, followed by action plan development.
Sub-Activities for Jana Karaliya
Work Camps: Conduct 4 community-driven projects to renovate village tanks, schools, or roads.
Folk High Schools: Organize 8 informal education programs to address local challenges using experiential learning methods.
Cultural Visits: Arrange 4 visits for youth to foster empathy and understanding of marginalized communities, including Adivasis and low-caste groups.
Leadership Training (Nayaka Madu)
Conduct 4 leadership tents, each lasting 2 days, for 25 youth leaders per session.
Focus on diversity, democracy, human rights, and social cohesion.
Sub-Activities for Nayaka Madu
Democracy TV and Social Media Campaign: Use the YouTube channel “Democracy TV” and social media to engage youth in discussions on democracy and social issues.
Mobile Clinics: Organize 4 clinics to address health, education, and social welfare in marginalized communities.
Expected Outcomes
Increased youth participation in community-driven initiatives promoting social cohesion.
Enhanced leadership skills and democratic engagement among youth leaders.
Improved inter-group interactions and understanding among youth from diverse backgrounds.
Strengthened collaboration between government, NGOs, and youth groups.
Practical community improvements through youth-led work camps.
Greater awareness of exclusionary practices and marginalized communities, fostering empathy and inclusivity.
Geographic Focus:
Province: Central Province
Districts: Kandy and Nuwara Eliya
Divisional Secretariats (DS Divisions):
Kandy District: Pathadumbara, Nawalapitiya, Galagedara, Ududumbara, Pathahewaheta, Doluwa, Yatinuwara, Panvila
Nuwara Eliya District: Thalawakale, Norwood, Nuwara Eliya, Walapane, Kothmale, Hanguranketha
Overview
The ECCT project is being implemented within the Central Province with the aim of contributing to its overarching impact: “To initiate, facilitate, and strengthen the collective effort of civil society and grassroots communities to support the government of Sri Lanka in achieving inclusive, democratic, and economic governance mechanisms to combat human trafficking.”
With a three-pronged strategy—consolidating, capacitating, and collaborating—the project engages government, non-governmental, and private sector stakeholders, as well as victims and affected communities, to collectively address human trafficking (TIP) and safe migration. These issues significantly impact the enjoyment of human, democratic, and labor rights.
Program Strategies
SAMADANAM employs three specific program strategies within the ECCT framework:
Capacity Building of Key Actors:
Strengthening the knowledge and skills of stakeholders to address TIP and promote safe migration.
Strengthening Community Platforms and Structures for Sustainability:
Establishing and empowering community-based platforms to ensure long-term support and self-reliance.
Advocacy and Lobbying:
Advocating for family development plans, strengthening forums through government recognition, and regulating social media to enforce social policies and integrate migrant worker data.
These strategies align with ECCT’s three-pronged approach of consolidating, capacitating, and collaborating.
Key Activities
District/Divisional Anti-Trafficking and Migration Forums:
Establishing forums with government ownership for long-term impact.
Self-Help Groups (SHGs):
Supporting SHGs to operate independently and sustainably.
Migrant Workers Societies (MWS):
Enabling MWSs to function autonomously without external support.
Victim Redress Mechanisms:
Developing referral systems and support structures for victims.
Community Outreach:
Raising awareness about human trafficking and promoting safe labor migration.
Media Outreach:
Utilizing media to educate the public on human trafficking and migration issues.
Organizational Development:
Strengthening institutional capacities to address trafficking and migration challenges.
Lobbying Initiatives:
Conducting successful advocacy efforts at divisional, district, and provincial levels to influence policy and practices.
Innovations:
Introducing new approaches and methodologies under the ECCT project to enhance impact and sustainability.