Our work in society | British Council Sri Lanka

We support young people, communities and institutions across Sri Lanka to address shared social challenges and create positive change.

Our programmes strengthen leadership, social inclusion, economic opportunity and active citizenship, helping people develop the skills, connections and confidence needed to build more resilient and inclusive communities.

Working with local and international partners, we design and deliver programmes that respond to local needs while contributing to wider global priorities, including climate action, gender equality and youth empowerment. Inspired by the British Council's global approach to non-formal education, our work combines practical skills development with opportunities for dialogue, collaboration and community action.

Youth Leadership and Participation

Next Generation

Climate Action and Sustainability

Economic Inclusion and Enterprise

Social Cohesion and Inclusion

Learn more about our work

Youth Climate Ambassadors (YCAs) in Sri Lanka

Across Sri Lanka, young people are taking action on the issues that matter most to their communities, from protecting coastlines and restoring ecosystems to promoting sustainable liveliho

Kandy Girl Guides with facilitator-mentors

Educating Girls for Climate Action

Empowering the next generation of climate leaders

Enterprise for Resilient Rural Communities

Enabling and empowering women and youth in the Central and Uva provinces in Sri Lanka to create and participate in small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Youth Led Green and Inclusive Businesses

Through the Youth Led Green and Inclusive Businesses (YLGIB) project, British Council intends to harness the enthusiasm, passion, and energy of a cohort of young entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka.

Youth Leadership for Climate Action (YLCA)

This project offers Sri Lankan youth the opportunity to develop their knowledge, skills, and networks to deliver more impactful and inclusive community level climate and environmental action.

Supporting Effective Dispute Resolution (SEDR) in Sri Lanka

SEDR is a four-year access to justice project implemented by the British Council, in partnership with The Asia Foundation (TAF), and funded by the European Union.

Active Citizens

Active Citizens is a non-profit programme that promotes community cohesion and improvement through civic engagement or volunteering in around 30 countries.

A Community Empowerment Journey addressing Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)

We wanted to address the issue of gender-based violence through a community approach, and this was co-created with our main collaborator, FISD, and other partners from across the country.

Next Generation Sri Lanka

March 2019: Ten years after the end of the civil war, this research explores the attitudes, aspirations and needs of young people across Sri Lanka.