• 350 youths from vulnerable backgrounds to be re-skilled and empowered
• Project to be carried out with US$ 290,445  from Standard Chartered Foundation
• StanChart says partnership will help create responsible, talented citizens who will play a crucial role in national economy

Standard Chartered has entered into a two-year partnership with SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka upon identifying the urgent need to re skill the youth of the country, especially amidst the challenges posed by the ongoing global pandemic. 

About 350 youth from vulnerable backgrounds will be re-skilled through the initiative where they will be empowered to face the future with relevant skills, whilst eliminating the possibility of these youngsters being exposed to socio-economic challenges. 

Standard Chartered aims at uplifting the lifestyles of all youth beneficiaries of the project, with funding from the Standard Chartered Foundation. 

Over the 2-year partnership, SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka will receive a sum of US$ 290,445 from the Standard Chartered Foundation which will be utilised for the youth re-skilling activities. 

The project will strengthen employability and entrepreneurial skills of the youth chosen from among young care leavers at SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka, and students of the vocational training centres, while enhancing resilience of young people in alternative care settings about to transition to independent living.

“We as an organisation strongly believe in the need for empowering youth to face the future through reskilling, and we are happy and grateful that the Standard Chartered Foundation also believes in this cause. We are also thankful to Standard Chartered in Sri Lanka for the support rendered to make this initiative possible,” said Divakar Ratnadurai, National Director, SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka speaking at the launch event.

The SOS senior representative said that under the project it is hoped to re-skill 350 school leavers in order to help them find opportunities in the job market. 

Commenting on the project, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing, Standard Chartered Sri Lanka Anuk De Silva said the partnership with SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka will not only help in terms of empowering our youth, but will also contribute in moulding responsible, talented and independent citizens who will play a crucial role in the growth of our motherland’s economy, culture and communities. 

Future makers by Standard Chartered is the bank’s global initiative to tackle inequality. It promotes greater economic inclusion for disadvantaged young people through education, employability and entrepreneurship programmes. 

The Standard Chartered Foundation is an independent, charitable foundation led by its own Board of Trustees and is supported by a Programme Steering Committee.