NEED Centre
History
The first-ever Conference on Re-building the Northern and Eastern Provinces (NEP) of Sri Lanka took place in Toronto, Canada on 16-17 January 2017 with the support of Diaspora Community – Bridge Builders. More than 200 personnel including Provincial Council Ministers, Members and Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Diaspora’s Sectoral experts, Members of Diaspora’s Organizations and well-wishers from different countries contributed the conference. The purpose of the conference was to look into ways to address both immediate and long-term development needs in education, health and economy. As an action from the conference, the NEED Centre was established in September 2017.
WHO WE ARE?
NEED Centre is a not-for-profit entity which facilitates interaction between diaspora, local community and donor agencies to create business development and partnership opportunities in the North and East of Sri Lanka. Through joint ventures, NEED Centre aims to develop and implement projects in line with economic and strategic priorities, identified by the local authorities and agencies.
OBJECTIVES
To improve social and economic conditions and reduce poverty in rural areas by encouraging and supporting business opportunities and investments in Sri Lanka’s North and East Provinces.
Strategies
- Encourage contribution from diaspora on trades, investment, skills development and knowledge transfer.
- Ensure long term business success of the projects by ensuring sustainability
- Work in collaboration with local authorities, and international development agencies.
- Build partnerships with sectoral expertise, heads of agencies, intellectuals, and philanthropists who are interested in socio-economic development
- Create an atmosphere to utilize or involve migrated intellectuals
- Support women and youth led entrepreneurship through skills development such as communications and marketing skills.
OUR INITIATIVES
Within a short period, the NEED Centre has seen instrumental growth. To list a few:
- Developed potential projects, utilizing local resources with the joined initiatives of local communities and Diaspora’sinvestors or donors. (Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Mullaitivu, and Kilinochchi)
- Through a joint partnership with the University of Jaffna – Vavuniya Campus developed a technology platform to support economic empowerment in the war-torn areas.
- Continue to collaborate with the local and international governments, foreign missions and international agencies to obtain institutional support, technical innovation, financial and marketing opportunities to promote local products in international markets.
- Functioning as a Resource Centre to provide consultation to establish appropriate investments in the targeted region.
- Working on creating a model that includes partnerships from three sectors (Private, Public, and Not-for-Profit) to boost the social and economic conditions in various regions.
- Establishing a Marketing and Sales Centre in Mullaitivu, aimed at strengthening local home-based small businesses.
MAJOR MILESTONES
The NEED Centre has worked on following projects in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka last two years such as:
- 2018 – 2019 – The NEED Center in partnership with the Canadian Tamils Humanitarian Association (CTHA) together raised 8,500 CAD to enhance Bien Production Center (Food production Grinding Mill) in Mullankavil, Kilinochchi District. The project is currently in operation. There are around 25 war-affected women including people with disabilities currently employed at the mill producing rice flour, chilly powder, and ground herbs and spices.
- 2018 -2019 – Funded by the Canadian Tamil Congress, NEED Center established an integrated dairy farm in Thenanmaravady, in Trincomalee District. The Government has allocated 20 acres of land in the village for this purpose. The objective of the project is intended to empower women, youth and people with disabilities by providing stable employment opportunities and capacity building in the community. The estimated budget for this project is about $200,000.
- 2019-2020 – Building on the success of Thennamarawady, NEED Center continues to partner with the Canadian Tamil Congress and currently in the process of establishing another integrated dairy farms in Santhively, in Batticaloa District. The Land Reform Commission has approved for a long-term lease of the land where this farm will be built. The project will employ members of women-headed families, youth and people who are disabled and unemployed in the division. The estimated budget for this project is about $200,000
- 2019 – 2020 – The NEED Center has commenced construction of a Local Producer Sales & Information Centre in the of MullaitivuDistrict. With the recommendation of Government Agent and Industrial Department, the Divisional Secretary of Maritimepattu has allocated land in the heart of Mullaitivu town. The objective of this project is to allow local producers to showcase and market their products nationally and internationally. The project is made possible through the support of the Canadian Tamil Congress.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
NEED Centre’s accomplishments and milestones are made possible through the support of the Diaspora. The generous contributions continue to make an impact in improving and strengthening the local economy, provide skills and knowledge to help create a talented workforce as well as encourage higher participation of women and youth in the labour market.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Postal Address:
NEED Centre,
No: 29 A, Temple Road,
Kurumankadu,Vavuniya 43000
Sri Lanka.
Telephone No: +94 24 222 8545
E – Mail: contact@needcentre.org
Website: www. needcentre.org