Executive Summary
Sri Lanka is increasingly experiencing the interconnected challenges of climate change, environmental degradation, and human migration. Climate-induced shocks such as floods, droughts, sea-level rise, and erratic rainfall patterns are undermining rural and coastal livelihoods, particularly in agriculture, fisheries, and plantation sectors. As a result, many households resort to temporary or permanent migration—both internal and international—as a coping strategy. However, migration often occurs in unsafe, unplanned, and distress-driven ways, increasing vulnerability, family separation, and social inequities.
This proposal aims to strengthen climate-resilient livelihoods and adaptive capacities of climate-affected communities in Sri Lanka to reduce forced migration and enhance safe, dignified, and informed mobility options. The project will focus on climate-vulnerable districts such as the Northern Province, Eastern Province, and selected coastal and dry-zone areas. By integrating climate-resilient livelihood development, skills training, community-based adaptation, and migration-informed planning, the project seeks to build resilience at household and community levels. Special attention will be given to women, youth, and migrant-sending households. The initiative aligns with national climate adaptation strategies and global frameworks on migration, climate change, and sustainable development.
Background
Sri Lanka’s geographic location and climatic conditions make it highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. Increasing temperatures, prolonged droughts, intense rainfall, floods, and coastal erosion have significantly affected agricultural productivity, fisheries, water availability, and rural employment. Smallholder farmers, fishing communities, and plantation workers are among the most affected groups.
Climate stress has become a major driver of internal migration from rural to urban areas and from climate-vulnerable regions to economically stronger districts. International labor migration, particularly to the Middle East and Southeast Asia, has also increased as households seek alternative income sources. While migration can contribute to income diversification through remittances, it often exposes migrants—especially women—to exploitation, unsafe working conditions, and social protection gaps.
Sri Lanka has recognized the need to address climate-induced displacement and migration through policy frameworks such as the National Adaptation Plan, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and migration governance strategies. However, implementation gaps remain at the community level. There is a critical need for integrated programs that address climate resilience and livelihoods while acknowledging migration as both a risk and an adaptation strategy.
Problem Statement
Climate change is undermining traditional livelihood systems in Sri Lanka, reducing income stability and food security for vulnerable households. Limited access to climate-resilient technologies, skills, and financial resources restricts communities’ ability to adapt locally. As a result, many families engage in distress migration, often without adequate information, skills, or protection.
Key challenges include:
- Loss of climate-sensitive livelihoods in agriculture, fisheries, and informal sectors
- Increased rural-to-urban and overseas migration driven by economic stress
- Limited livelihood diversification and green job opportunities at the local level
- Gendered impacts of migration, including increased care burdens and protection risks for women
- Weak integration of migration considerations into local climate adaptation planning
Without targeted interventions, climate-induced migration may intensify, exacerbating poverty, social fragmentation, and urban pressure. There is an urgent need to strengthen livelihood resilience while promoting safe and informed mobility choices.
Project Goal and Objectives
Overall Goal
To enhance climate-resilient livelihoods and adaptive capacities of climate-vulnerable communities in Sri Lanka, reducing distress-driven migration and supporting safe, dignified livelihood mobility.
Specific Objectives
- Strengthen climate-resilient and diversified livelihood opportunities for vulnerable households.
- Enhance skills and employability of youth and women in green and climate-resilient sectors.
- Integrate migration-sensitive approaches into community-based climate adaptation planning.
- Improve access to information, social protection, and financial services for migrant-sending households.
Project Methodology
The project will adopt a community-based, participatory, and climate–migration nexus approach. Activities will be designed through stakeholder consultations involving local authorities, community organizations, women’s groups, youth networks, and returnee migrants. The methodology emphasizes inclusivity, sustainability, and local ownership.
Key approaches include:
- Climate risk and migration vulnerability assessments at community level
- Livelihood diversification through climate-smart and green enterprises
- Skills development aligned with local and national labor market needs
- Strengthening community institutions and local governance mechanisms
- Gender-responsive and youth-focused programming
Implementation Plan
- Component 1: Climate-Resilient Livelihood Development
- Promotion of climate-smart agriculture, agroforestry, and drought-resilient crops
- Support for sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and coastal livelihood adaptation
- Development of green micro-enterprises such as renewable energy services, waste recycling, and eco-tourism
- Access to microfinance, savings groups, and start-up grants for vulnerable households
- Component 2: Skills Training and Employment Pathways
- Vocational and digital skills training for youth and women in green sectors
- Entrepreneurship development for climate-resilient businesses
- Job placement support and linkages with private sector and cooperatives
- Recognition of skills for safe internal and overseas migration
- Component 3: Migration-Informed Community Adaptation
- Community dialogues on climate change, mobility, and livelihood options
- Integration of migration considerations into local adaptation and development plans
- Awareness programs on safe migration, labor rights, and remittance management
- Support networks for migrant families and returnees
- Component 4: Institutional Strengthening and Partnerships
- Capacity building for local government and community-based organizations
- Collaboration with national agencies, NGOs, and international partners
- Policy engagement to inform climate–migration strategies
Monitoring
A results-based monitoring framework will be established with clear indicators aligned to project objectives. Key monitoring tools will include baseline and endline surveys, livelihood tracking, training completion records, and migration trend analysis. Community monitoring committees will participate in data collection and feedback mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability.
Evaluation
An independent mid-term and final evaluation will assess project effectiveness, relevance, efficiency, sustainability, and impact. The evaluation will examine livelihood resilience outcomes, changes in migration patterns, gender and youth inclusion, and institutional capacity strengthening. Lessons learned and best practices will be documented and shared with stakeholders to inform scaling and replication.
Conclusion
Climate change and migration are deeply interconnected challenges shaping Sri Lanka’s development trajectory. Addressing these issues in isolation risks undermining long-term resilience and social stability. This project offers an integrated solution by strengthening climate-resilient livelihoods, enhancing adaptive capacities, and promoting informed and dignified mobility choices.
By empowering communities—particularly women and youth—to adapt locally while managing migration safely, the initiative will contribute to reduced vulnerability, improved economic security, and sustainable development. The project aligns with national priorities and global commitments on climate action, migration governance, and inclusive growth, making it a strong candidate for donor and partner support.
