Green Courage: Haritha Diriya Project
With the growing need for more sustainable products and services for sustainable development, green entrepreneurs and eco-friendly enterprises are required to be promoted and uplifted to promote sustainable consumption for minimizing negative impacts on the environment while providing an economic advantage to the community.
In Sri Lanka, there are many rural SMEs and cottage industries that can easily be converted into environmentally sustainable small industries. Some can be encouraged to produce totally environment-friendly products.
The aim of this project is to select 100 cottage industries and develop them as model green enterprises by conducting capacity building programs providing them with technical and technological assistance, training to implement green practices, assistance to obtain green certification for their products, guide them on sustainable business strategies and create a local and export market. This is aimed at rural economic recovery stimulating markets and generating more livelihood opportunities for women and the rural poor. The Australian High Commission to Sri Lanka and the Maldives is funding ‘Green Courage: Haritha Diriya’ project through a Direct Aid Program Grant.