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!

Indigenous Tree Foods of Northern Ghana

By Naomi Gichungu, 2nd year MDP student

Ghana had never been my intention, I had dreamt and envisioned myself in Vietnam. It has however been a rewarding experience, in the country estimated to be the closest to the center of the earth. I have had a lot of fun making new friends, using the public transport, and interning with Tree Aid Ghana. Working in the area of food and nutrition security in the North has also been a great treat. 

Northern Ghana has three different regions; Upper East, Upper West and the Northern regions. These regions are characterized by Savannah grasslands and scattered shrubs and trees. They experience the least and erratic rainfall compared to the rest of the country and therefore long drought spells. Future projections further predict an increase in the temperature from 1.0 to 3.0 °C by 2060, with the highest increases in Northern Ghana. Such conditions have shaped the work of Tree Aid Ghana. 

Working on the questionnaire with the field officer/ interpreter during the pretest

Focus Group Discussion in Pindaa Village during the pretest

With the intention to alleviate poverty and ensure community food and nutrition security, Tree Aid invests in Indigenous food trees. It works with communities to create enterprises around non-timber forest products while encouraging preservation and sustainable consumption of foods from these trees. My time with Tree Aid has been spent designing a research study to document Indigenous knowledge related to Indigenous tree foods. An initial desktop review helped to shape my ideas which I developed into questionnaire and focus group discussion tools. I went out to meet the community members during my pre-test in Savelugu and Paga Districts. Indigenous knowledge has always fascinated me. Community members had rich information regarding species such as Adansonia digitata (baobab), Parkia biglobosa (African locust bean) and Vitellaria paradoxa (Shea tree) which have been very instrumental for food and income. I got to sample a few of the fruits.

My colleagues in the office

With the help of Tree Aid partners in the field, and with support from the Country Director, we have reviewed our research tools. The organization intends to commission the study and collect data through its field projects and partner organizations. The Indigenous knowledge gathered will be considered in the development of enterprises and conservation efforts. The organization is striving to involve the youth in its future projects and this research will serve as a stepping stone for these projects.