Integrated Plantation and Rural Community Empowerment Programme
Project background: PALM Foundation has been a partner of Stromme Foundation since 2007. Two main programmes, namely DREAM and Master plan programmes were implemented with the development collaboration of Stromme Foundation and were completed at the end of 2013. These past projects served about 5,000 needy families in Nuwara Eliya and Walapane D.S. Divisions. The new project commenced from the beginning of year 2016. A situation analysis was conducted in the project areas, including poverty levels. It was observed that the communities are not organized and democratic principles are not followed due to negligence and oppression by politically motivated leaders. Additionally, this community is isolated and their right to a livelihood is denied due to issues such as of ownership of the land. Their right to receive an education in their mother tongue too is limited at the secondary and higher education levels due to non-availability of qualified teachers. These communities are living in inadequate houses without proper sanitary facilities. Several family members are compelled to occupy one room whereby their privacy is violated and tensions created sometimes leading to violence as well as abuse of children and women. They have lost the right to a suitable dwelling, drinking water and sufficient food.
Funded by
Stromme Foundation
Estimated Budget
Rs. 60 million
Project Period
January 2014 to December 2018
Project Goal
"Disadvantaged communities of Kothmale and Walapane DS divisions are mobilised and have their capacity built to advocate for their rights and enjoy social and economic rights by the end of 2018."
Main Objectives
Civil Rights
Civil society mechanisms formed and strengthened in 28 selected locations to advocate and lobby for the protection of their civil rights.
Income Generation
1,800 families in selected villages and estate divisions of Kotmale and Walapane enjoy their rights and have access to income generation.
Vocational Training
250 selected school leavers qualified with NVQ and their skills as well as secondary language knowledge developed, recognized and integrated into the work force.
Expected Outputs
Under Objective 1
- Formation of 25 CBOs (1,500 families) in Kothmale. Two networks established.
- 2,000 (80%) members gained knowledge of civil rights.
- 300 government officers trained.
- Situation analysis completed in 12 new locations.
- Database established (250 families).
- 22 Village development plans developed.
- 40 advocacy activities implemented.
- Duty bearers responded to 90% of demands.
- Capacity built for 110 CBO officer bearers.
Under Objective 2
- Financial mechanism for 22 CBOs.
- Coop network membership to 2,500.
- 200 trained on entrepreneurship.
- Rs. 30 million disbursed to 2,000 members.
- 250 families involved in IGPs.
- 750 enterprises formed, trade org established.
- 750 entrepreneurs with income management knowledge.
- 22 CBO micro-finance systems established.
- Financial management capacity built for 110 CBO bearers.
Under Objective 3
- VT opportunities for 250 school leavers.
- Language classes for 200 school leavers.
- 60% of VT youths involved in IGPs.
- 150 VT youths given tool kits.
- 150 VT youths linked to micro-finance.
- 250 youths prepared for VT via youth camp.
- 250 youths linked with job nets (Berendina).
Project Area & Target Locations
Walapane Division
- Munwatte (506)
- Madumana (506 E)
- Liyanwela (506 B)
- Madekadura (506 D)
- Liyanwela Estate (506 D)
- Mahauva 3rd (533 D)
- Mahauva Dam (515 E)
- Kahawatte (504 A)
- Diyanilla (526 B)
- High forest no 1 (505)
Kothmale Division (I)
- Mawela West (456 B)
- Mawela Kanda (456 C)
- Karagasthalawa (476 A)
- Delumthalamada (473 B)
- Katarandana (466 B)
- Madakubura (468)
- Kiridhiwela (469 B)
- Egadawela (469 A)
Kothmale Division (II)
- wavahinna (473 B)
- Pundaluoya Upper (468 E)
- Pundaluoya Lower (468 E)
- Eton (468 E)
- Ramboda RB (474 C)
- Blue Field (474 C)
- Akkara 50 (474 C)