UNOPS is proud to renew its partnership with the Australian High Commission, Sri Lanka, to strengthen civil society, promote gender equality, and build lasting peace under the Vriddhi programme.

Through grants, capacity support & policy dialogue, we’re supporting:

🔹 Women-led action ( SDG 5)

🔹 Preserving civic space and promoting human rights (SDG 16)

🔹 Partnerships that enable local solutions for national change (SDG 17)

Together, we are advancing peacebuilding, civic space, and resilience.

#UNOPS #AustraliaInSriLanka #Vriddhi #CivilSociety #Peacebuilding #CivicSpace #Localisation

As part of this collaboration, UNOPS and Australia hosted a series of dialogues with civil society actors and the Australian High Commission across Sri Lanka

Across all locations, civil society voices offered powerful insights, shaping more responsive and inclusive support under this new phase.

Together with Australia, we continue to champion local voices and civic space for peace and dignity.

#Kalmunai, Ampara

H.E. Paul Stephens met with partners to discuss reconciliation and community challenges, including conflict legacies, political interference, and shrinking aid. Vriddhi-supported efforts to build inclusive reconciliation structures were shared.

#Anuradhapura

H.E. Paul Stephens and his team joined education leaders and officials to discuss the challenges youth and school children are facing with drug substances, supporting safe school environments and youth resilience.

#Kotagala, Nuwara Eliya

Deputy High Commissioner Ms. Lalitha Kapur engaged with civil society actors from the Malayagam community on political, economic, and human rights challenges, highlighting grassroots-led solutions.

#Jaffna

Australia High Commission representatives met with Vriddhi Civil Society partners to explore issues including youth unemployment, land rights, drug abuse, and shrinking civic space.