WUSC & Lanka Impact Investing Network: Promoting Social Entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka

By Silvina Antunes, 1st year MDP student

WUSC summer students at orientation (Silvina on far right)

This summer, I am completing my international field placement in Colombo, Sri Lanka at Lanka Impact Investing Network (LIIN), an organization that is partnered with World University Service of Canada (WUSC), and shares the goal of promoting economic development in Sri Lanka.

LIIN works to connect social entrepreneurs and small social enterprises with investors who can help them financially to scale-up but also in mentorship and logistical matters. LIIN places focus on youth and women entrepreneurs as they are currently underrepresented in the workforce here in Sri Lanka. 

My primary role this summer is to help organize and arrange a conference that is being held at the end of July to help educate and garner the support of more investors so that more social enterprises will have access to funds to grow their businesses. This includes creating conference materials, connecting with potential investors or interested parties, reporting on current initiatives of LIIN and doing research into what impact investing looks like elsewhere in the world and how this can be relevant to Sri Lanka.

We are feeling hopeful that this conference will lead to expansion of the current network of impact investors as well as the development of a social impact fund that social entrepreneurs can tap into. I have also had the opportunity to participate in various meetings with UNDP and other organizations that LIIN is working in partnership with. 

LIIN's Impact Investing Conference Promotional Poster

So far, this placement has been an exceptional learning experience for me. Most of my experience is related to development and non-profit work so working with private sector actors is quite a jump. It is interesting to observe the different mindsets and methods of doing things in bringing private sector investors into the development field.

It has been very uplifting and inspiring to see so many prominent Sri Lankan business leaders interested in how they can get involved in improving the livelihoods of others. I have also been able to hone in on my writing and communication skills through various tasks which has certainly been positive. My coworkers have been so lovely and have helped me so much in adapting the different culture and work context.

I feel so grateful to be here and I can’t wait for what the next couple months have in store!

Remediating Environmental Damage through Traditional Knowledge Use and Indigenous Peoples’ Leadership

By Amanda Appasamy, 2nd year MDP student

My host family: Edilma Queta, Lionel Yiyoguaje, Anjeli, & Baker (2 months old)

What drew my attention to the Fundacíon de Sobrevivencia Cofán, is the victory of the Cofán People, one of the oldest surviving Indigenous groups in the north eastern Ecuadorian Amazon, in securing the legal rights to actively manage and protect over one million acres of their ancestral territory.

Co-management and cooperation agreements with the Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment have been achieved along with the transfer of federally-protected lands which have now been placed under the official custody of the Cofán; hence, honouring the role of land-based stewardship and conservation by Indigenous Peoples. The protection of these ancestral lands are crucial to maintaining the rich traditional knowledge, culture and traditions of the Cofán which concurrently have critical implications for climate change adaptation. 

Amongst other achievements of the Cofán people are:

• In 1978, they were the first Indigenous People in the world to develop community-based ecotourism projects.

• Between 1991-1994, the Cofán of Zábalo are the first Indigenous People to be victorious over oil company invasion in their territory in Ecuador.

• In 1992, the Cofán are the first Indigenous Nation in Ecuador to negotiate treaties for the recovery of ancestral lands within national protected areas.

• In 1993, the Cofán developed the first community-based conservation management plans without outside intervention.

• The Cofán Bermejo Ecological Reserve is the first national protected area that was lobbied for and administered by an Indigenous People in Ecuador.

• First time, Indigenous park guards and conservation workers have acquired equal recognition as government park guards with same legal powers and jurisdiction across all Cofán territories.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have travelled to the Cofán territory in Zábalo, Amazon to meet the outstanding people and help promote the long-term sustainability of a community-led conservation program of the vulnerable Amazon river turtle (Podocnemis unifilis), a sacred species for the Cofán.

The Amazon river turtle also known as Charapa

The turtle repopulation program began in 1991 by the Cofán in response to overexploitation and illegal commercialization of turtle eggs. Over 25 years later, they have successfully generated a natural over-production of the turtle population without destroying the environment or the species.

However, relying on outside funding for the continuation of this conservation program is not viable. In order to achieve long term sustainability, the Cofán have decided to embark on an eco-tourism project that involves raising donations for the release of baby turtles in Amazon basin rivers. Visitors will have the opportunity to partake in responsible conservation of a vulnerable species led by local guides allowing the Cofán to be economically self-sustainable.

This form of bio-trade establishes possibilities for the responsible use of natural resources. It provides a different perspective on the management of biological diversity, shifting the paradigm of maintaining a protected intact area without it generating its own resources to economically benefitting Indigenous nations.

For more information on these efforts, please visit the Cofán Survival Fund web page here.

The whole community participates as egg guardians including women & children in the process of collecting the eggs from the beach, transferring them to artificial pools & caring for the babies until they are about 6 months old & healthy for release into the wild.