Sri Lanka

American Center for International Labor Solidarity
$350,000
To support Sri Lankan trade unions’ efforts to organize and defend the interests of workers in the country’s Export Process­ing Zones (EPZs) and Industrial Parks (IPs) through training, worker education, counseling, leadership development, and education on the role of unions in society as well as ILO core labor standards. The Solidarity Center and its partners will strengthen the unions through organiz­ing new members and securing rights through enforcement of the labor law.

Association of War Affected Women
$60,000
To build the capacity of women leaders to advocate on behalf of their communi­ties, hold elected officials accountable, and promote good governance. The Associa­tion of War Affected Women will conduct trainings on election laws and related regulation, campaigning, public speaking, and media outreach for female candidates running for local government office.

Center for International Private Enterprise
$132,288
To foster awareness of economic and democratic reforms in Sri Lanka, par­ticularly among policymakers at the national and provincial levels. CIPE and the Pathfinder Foundation will continue their Legislative Advisory Service ef­forts, bringing together stakeholders to debate democratic and economic policy reform. Pathfinder will expand its work to the provinces to build a larger base of informed groups in the former war zones that could undertake policy advocacy.

Centre for Human Rights and Development
$60,000
To document human rights violations and to assist in efforts to seek redress and justice. CHRD will coordinate legal as­sistance for individuals seeking redress on civil and political rights cases, including those under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and emergency regulations. In addition, the organization will organize an advocacy and public awareness campaign focused on repealing the Prevention of Terror­ism Act and other policies that infringe on civil liberties and human rights.

Centre for Policy Alternatives, (Guarantee) Ltd.
$23,215
To strengthen the capacity of Sri Lankan media personnel and human rights defenders. The Centre for Policy Alter­natives will facilitate training programs that introduce and adapt effective in­formation and communication technol­ogy (ICT) practices and policies.

Janawaboda Kendraya
$20,000
To raise awareness and create oppor­tunities for citizens to become more engaged in the political process at the local level in Sri Lanka. Janawaboda Kendraya will launch a public education effort in four districts that incorporates street theater and moderated discussion on issues such as democracy, human rights, and good governance in an effort to engage local stakeholders and officials in the political life of their community.

Rights Now – Collective for Democracy
$25,000
To raise awareness about human rights and civil liberties in Sri Lanka and to ad­vocate for stronger independent govern­mental institutions, such as the National Human Rights Commission. Rights Now Collective will work with civil society leaders to inform and engage grassroots communities concerning basic principles of human rights and good governance as well as mechanisms for redress.

Secretariat of the National Alliance for Peace
$26,000
To raise awareness about voter rights and procedures among ethnic minorities in Sri Lanka. The Secretariat of the National Alliance for Peace’s Campaign for Free and Fair Elections will design an educational campaign focused on the value of casting a vote, the importance of ensuring a non-vio­lent election environment, and understand­ing the requirements necessary to vote, such as obtaining proper identification.

Viluthu, Ltd.
$50,000
To raise awareness, promote freedom of expression, and empower citizens living in Sri Lanka to protect their rights. Viluthu will organize a series of study circles to raise awareness of social, economic, and cultural rights; provide a venue for discussion; and empower participants to take action on issues of concern.

The grant listings posted here are from the 2010 Annual Report, published in August 2011.