To help Sri Lanka advance the national development agenda to tackle some of the most pressing challenges faced in society, efforts are underway to strengthen the social innovation ecosystem in the island nation.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka announced today that the endeavour would be pushed via a partnership between its innovation arm, Citra Social Innovation Lab, and the National Innovation Agency (NIA). 

The strategic partnership was formalised through the exchange of letters with Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative at UNDP in Sri Lanka, and Prof. Ajith de Alwis, Chief Innovation Officer at NIA. 

Key objectives of this alignment are centered on streamlining social innovation within Sri Lankan society, and embedding social innovation into national development efforts to achieve sustainable human development. The nature of this cross-sector partnership will enable stakeholders to co-construct and implement socially innovative solutions which will address socio-economic issues, create positive social impact, and enhance the well-being of communities.