This pioneering program, part of UNDP’s Private Sector Giving Facility, unites community-level resilience, sustainable agriculture practices, and private sector solidarity to effectively boost livelihoods and food security. The initial phase directly benefited over 100 families—95 percent of whom are women—by equipping them with backyard poultry units and market-linked home gardens. Participants received technical assistance in setting up irrigation systems, using organic fertilizers, managing poultry health, and marketing produce. The result has been higher incomes and improved nutrition, with over 500 community members, including factory workers, gaining access to fresh, eco-friendly produce through a dedicated farmers’ market located at the Hirdaramani factory premises.

Building on this success, the initiative is now scaling up its reach, adding 50 more beneficiaries while strengthening the resilience of the 150 existing integrated garden units. This expansion introduces a comprehensive support package: chicken coops for 20 hens, 1,000 vaccinated chicks, azolla ponds for sustainable feed, and vegetable seed kits for market gardening. Further bolstering the intervention are tailored training sessions in poultry management and financial literacy, intended to empower households with both productive capacity and economic know-how.

A standout feature continues to be the operational sales outlet at the Hirdaramani factory. This venue creates a bridge for smallholder producers to access stable markets, while offering factory employees regular access to nutritious, locally grown produce. Through this channel, the program reinforces local value chains and fosters a reciprocal model of economic opportunity and food access.

To ensure inclusivity and technical robustness, UNDP is inviting Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to participate through Responsible Party Agreements. Ideal partners are those with field presence in Vavuniya, technical capacity in climate-smart agriculture, poultry-rearing, market development, and prior experience in similar UNDP-led livelihoods interventions.

Eligible CSOs must meet the requirements outlined in UNDP’s NGO Request for Information, including valid registration to operate in Sri Lanka. Proposals must not exceed LKR 11,181,410 for direct interventions and adhere to administrative cost thresholds—no more than 6 percent of the total budget. The proposed project timeline spans from 15 September 2025 to 15 December 2026, aiming for impactful delivery and sustainability.

This program stands at the intersection of sustainable agriculture, women’s empowerment, and market integration. It illustrates how strategic partnerships between the UN, corporate entities, and local organizations can help expand economic opportunity, boost nutrition, and build resilient rural systems. By enabling circular, community-focused solutions, the project is cultivating not only gardens and eggs, but also hope and inclusive growth in Vavuniya.

For more information, visit UNDP.