Healthy socio-economic recovery of apparel sector Micro and Small Enterprises in severely COVID-19 impacted Gampaha District of Sri Lanka

This project aims at contributing towards the healthy socio-economic recovery of apparel sector Micro and Small Enterprises. It is implemented in Gampaha district that has been hardest hit by the pandemic both in terms of the health crisis and socio-economically. Gampaha hosts a large number of MSEs in the informal economy struggling to survive and build back from COVID19.

Overall objective of project

By 2023, the target beneficiaries of the project will have recovered from the impact of COVID-19 and will be sustainably engaged in income generation

Target beneficiaries

Employers and Workers in especially women-owned apparel sector Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs)

Specific project objectives

  • Micro and Small Enterprises in apparel sector are better organised and have enhanced ability to resume and continue business operations
  • Majority of women-owned micro and small enterprises in the apparel sector apply COVID19 prevention and mitigation measures in workplaces

Strategies

Implementation will be in collaboration with respective public and private sector organisations who will take ownership of the actions and scale them up beyond the district. Thus, the project will collaborate with the Small Enterprise Division (SED) of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, to implement project activities in the targeted district. This will subsequently be replicated nationwide through respective departments and local structures. This strategy draws on lessons learned from the 2020-2021 UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund, Healthy Socio-Economic Recovery project implemented in the Western Province of Sri Lanka.  It is also broadly linked to the UN Advisory Note on COVID-19 Socioeconomic Response (July 2020) and the UN Sustainable Development Framework (Human Security and Socio-Economic Resilience).

Expected results

  • Mapping of apparel sector MSMEs in Gampaha District
  • Clearer picture of linkages between lower tier MSEs and supply chains
  • MSEs collectivise (i.e. organize) for greater market access, competitiveness, and access to finance
  • MSEs supported to obtain COVID19 relief and stimulus financial packages
  • MSEs trained on safety measures/safety guidelines at the workplace
  • MSEs receive psycho-social support to better cope with the crisis and re-start or continue business operations