Drawing upon her diverse leadership background, Anitha Munasinghe, Country Manager at Solidaridad Network envisions the lessons gleaned from 2023/24 shaping the success of Solidaridad as it approaches 2025.
Solidaridad, an international civil society organization, has spanned a transformative journey since its inception in the Netherlands, and now extending its reach to over 40 countries across five continents. With its Asia regional headquarters situated in Delhi-NCR, India, and a country office located in Wattala, Sri Lanka, the organization is strategically positioned to address pressing issues impacting communities in the region.
For more than five decades, Solidaridad has been at the forefront of combating poverty and advocating for sustainable production practices. Spearheading initiatives such as the Fair Trade movement, the organization has consistently pioneered innovative and economically viable solutions to address challenges within global supply chains. Its collaborative approach, engaging governments, businesses, and local communities, remains instrumental in driving impactful change.
Reflecting on recent years, Anitha underscores the importance of organizational flexibility and resilience, particularly in navigating the politico-economic dynamics beyond its control. As Solidaridad sets its sights on 2025, it remains steadfast in fostering innovation and cultivating diverse partnerships to advance its mission. These core competencies have facilitated significant achievements, such as reaching over 200,000 individuals in Sri Lanka’s Central and Uva provinces with improved water supply and sanitation infrastructure under the EU-funded project ‘Reaching the Unreached Estates and Surrounding Communities on Equitable WASH for Improved Health and Nutrition.’
In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic aftermath in Sri Lanka, Solidaridad is redirecting its efforts towards bolstering food security and nutrition among vulnerable estates and rural communities. Recognizing the role of sustainable tourism in driving economic growth, particularly in the Central and Uva provinces, Anitha expresses that the organization is committed to promoting nature- and community-focused tourism initiatives. By empowering local communities through capacity-building endeavours, Solidaridad aims to ensure that tourism contributes to community prosperity while safeguarding the region’s natural heritage.
Anitha shared her vision for the impact on vulnerable communities through the European Union-funded (DeREC) project by 2025, highlighting Solidaridad’s leadership in achieving these objectives. She stated that the ambition under the EU-supported ‘Developing Resources and Empowering Communities (DeREC) for Improved Food Security and Enhanced Nature and Community-focused Tourism’ project is to facilitate a win-win scenario where sustainable practices and community empowerment flourish side-by-side. In her words, “Solidaridad seeks to bring about this transformative impact through a two-pronged strategy.”
Anitha explained that Solidaridad’s interventions, on one hand, are focused on improving the food security and nutritional status of the most vulnerable populations through social behaviour change communication and the promotion of homestead gardens. She said that these initiatives aim to provide families access to nutritious and diverse food, thereby empowering communities to cultivate their food and adopt healthier dietary practices.
Simultaneously, Solidaridad is also leading efforts to promote nature and community-based tourism, intending to create job opportunities and increase income for local communities. Anitha stated that by enhancing the experiences and offerings at tourism sites and implementing effective promotional campaigns, Solidaridad aims to stimulate demand and engagement in sustainable tourism. This not only generates economic benefits but also cultivates a deeper appreciation for the natural and cultural heritage of the region.
As a dedicated sustainability advocate, Anitha emphasized the key strategies that will be employed to address poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation in the coming years, highlighting their unique aspects. The Uva province, characterized by a high poverty headcount, has been a focal point for initiatives under the (DeREC) project, aimed at poverty reduction and community development. She highlighted the significance of training and empowering youth and women in the province, forging partnerships with institutions like the SLITHM- Bandarawela Hotel School and Uva Wellasa University. By facilitating market connections and promoting goods and services through platforms like Gallery FourLife and online portals such as Uva Tourism, the project aims to boost economic opportunities and uplift local communities.
According to Anitha, gender equality is a cornerstone of Solidaridad’s strategies, ensuring female participation across all projects in both Badulla and Monaragala districts. She stated that promoting female empowerment and inclusion in the workforce not only contributes to economic growth but also fosters a more equitable society. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of private sector engagement in job creation and providing opportunities for women and persons with disabilities, thereby enhancing social inclusion and economic resilience.
Addressing environmental degradation, Anitha underscored the importance of adopting sustainable practices to protect the natural environment of the Uva province. Initiatives such as “Zero Plastics” and “Suba Ruu” aim to minimize pollution and safeguard biodiversity. Anitha expressed support for tree planting and environment cleaning initiatives, emphasizing the need to educate and engage school children and youth in environmental conservation efforts to ensure a sustainable future.
Anitha emphasized the importance of consistency and community involvement in decision-making processes. By prioritizing the needs and aspirations of the local community, Solidaridad aims to ensure that its efforts result in tangible benefits for the people it serves, contributing to long-term sustainable development in the region.
Anitha, drawing upon her academic insights, significantly contributes to decision-making at Solidaridad by offering a multifaceted perspective on various issues. With a background spanning nursing, public health, occupational health and safety, as well as human resources, management, and law, her cross-disciplinary approach enables her to analyze challenges from different angles. As a leader, she recognizes the importance of presenting multiple options to manage or resolve issues effectively, leveraging her diverse educational background to inform strategic decisions within the organization.
Her extensive teaching experience further enhances communication within Solidaridad, fostering a culture of open dialogue and understanding. As a visiting faculty member at the Institute of Human Resource Advancement, University of Colombo, for over a decade, Anitha has cultivated a deep appreciation for the art of listening and learning from her students. She values the diverse perspectives they bring, representing a broad cross-section of the Sri Lankan workforce. She emphasizes the importance of listening to understand rather than merely responding—a skill she continues to hone both in the classroom and the workplace.
Anitha’s strong communication skills, particularly her ability to speak effectively when necessary and actively listen to her colleagues, have been instrumental in her career progression and collaboration within her team at Solidaridad. By prioritizing open communication and encouraging a culture of mutual respect and understanding, Anitha ensures that ideas are shared, feedback is received, and decisions are made collaboratively. Her commitment to effective communication serves as a cornerstone for building strong relationships and driving success within the organization.
Solidaridad’s current efforts in promoting tourism in the Uva province are driven by a commitment to create sustainable livelihoods for rural communities while addressing challenges encountered in the sector. With tourism being a cornerstone of the Sri Lankan economy, Solidaridad’s ambitious EU-funded (DeREC) project in the Uva province aims to elevate the tourism sector through strategic initiatives. These initiatives include supporting small and medium enterprises, with a focus on women-run businesses, to enhance their income through improved service delivery. Through training and awareness activities facilitated by the DeREC project, these enterprises are poised to thrive, contributing to economic growth and community development.
Moreover, Solidaridad’s efforts extend to empowering youth and women through tourism-related training programs at the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management in Bandarawela. By equipping individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge, the project aims to create job opportunities within and outside the Uva province, fostering economic empowerment and social mobility. Additionally, training area tour guides and site guides under the DeREC project enhance the tourism experience for both foreign and local visitors, further contributing to the sector’s growth and sustainability.
In addition to supporting local businesses and workforce development, Solidaridad is exploring collaborative opportunities with external parties, including the private sector, to create landmark signature tourism experiences in the Uva province. Exciting plans, such as the proposed cable car project in Ella and interventions to establish tourism facility centres at railway stations, are underway to elevate the tourism experience in Uva to global standards. These initiatives not only showcase the rich cultural and natural heritage of the region but also position Uva as a premier tourist destination on the global stage.
Readers should be excited about Anitha’s efforts in the approaching years because of the tangible impact her initiatives will have on local communities and the tourism sector at large. By promoting economic opportunities, empowering marginalized groups, and enhancing the overall tourism experience, Solidaridad is paving the way for sustainable development and prosperity in the Uva province. These efforts underscore Anitha’s commitment to creating positive change and contributing to the long-term well-being of the communities she serves.