UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund

The UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund is a financing instrument in support of the Cooperation Framework, focused on promoting joint, catalytic and strategic interventions in selecting programming areas.

Through its Peacebuilding Window, the Fund continued to invest in reintegration and recovery in the Northern and Eastern provinces by improving access to housing, legal identity, psychosocial support, community-based leadership, and sustainable livelihoods. New investments were made to strengthen social dialogue in priority sector of the public and private sector and enhance early warning systems.

Moreover, the Fund supported efforts to counter hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation helping reduce harmful online content promoted more inclusive, respectful public discourse. To that end public awareness campaign has been rolled out to combat hate speech and disinformation.

The Fund’s Resilience Window focused on advancing digital transformation, including the launch of the flagship ‘One Registry’ programme that supports government efforts to modernize civil registration systems. To date, the One Registry initiative completed a systems mapping and governance analysis, offering clarity on existing processes, gaps, and opportunities within the civil registration and vital statistics ecosystem.

Together, these investments contributed to institutional resilience, human security, and more inclusive governance – strengthening the long-term foundations for a peaceful and sustainable future.

For the year ahead, the Fund will continue strategic investments in the priority areas, based on an in-depth analytical update to take into account emerging priorities and the changing country context.

In 2024, peacebuilding investments made through the Fund played a pivotal role in supporting the reintegration and recovery of conflict-affected communities, particularly in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Communities experienced improved stability and social cohesion through enhanced access to housing, legal identity, and essential public services. Psychosocial support contributed to emotional well-being and successful community reintegration, while targeted livelihood support and skills development boosted economic security—particularly among women and marginalised groups.

Revitalised community-based organisations further empowered grassroots leadership and inclusive decision-making. Conflict prevention capacities were enhanced through strengthened early warning systems, including efforts to counter digital threats such as hate speech and disinformation. Evidence generated through perception surveys and reparations mapping informed responsive, inclusive programming and contributed to national reconciliation and accountability processes.