copyright 2010 © the business for peace alliancetraining for the sme’s to prepare business plans,...

Network owned and operated by 23 Regional Chambers of

Commerce throughout Sri Lanka.

A “bottom up” and “inclusive” regional platform to bring

about regional empowerment, reconciliation, national unity

and the practice of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

A “bottom up” lobby for needs and aspirations of regional

Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s), with capacity to

understand and develop solutions for regional problems.

Works with partners to deliver regional development

programs, and promotes business as a means to bring about

more prosperous and peaceable communities.

Promotes Public-Private-People Partnerships and the People-

Planet-Profit Business Model for Sustainable Development.


Started in 2002 as an informal network of influential members of the regional Chambers of Commerce, to create a platform for business to contribute towards the peace process, bringing advantage to both business and regional communities.

Success of the network led to institutionalization of BPA in 2006, with a Secretariat being established in Colombo as a focal point for regional business.

Incorporated in 2006 as a “Not for Profit” Company Limited by Guarantee under the Registrar of Companies of Sri Lanka.

Exclusively governed by a Board of Directors from 23 Regional Chambers representing every province in Sri Lanka.

Guided by several respected business leaders and professionals who voluntarily support BPA’s activities.

Affiliated to 10 Colombo based Chambers and Associations.



23 Board Members

(Represented exclusively by nominees

of the 23 Regional Chambers)

26 Regional Chambers

4 Women’s Chambers

(Total regional representation over

15,000 enterprises)

10 Affiliate Members

Commerce(as represented by

Regional

Chambers)

Peace

Conflict transformation

Reconciliation

Lobbying & advocacy

Networking & sharing good practice

Influencing & engaging stakeholders

Improving understanding & awareness

Empowerment

Institutional capacity

Sustainability & funds

Responsible investment

Social entrepreneurship

Sustainable livelihoods


The People–Planet–Profit Model through Public–Private–People Partnerships

MediaGovernment

Big Business,

NGO’s & other

Stakeholders

Funding

Bodies

Raising

Awareness

Identifying New

Development

Influencing

Policy

Increasing

Understanding

Collating

Information Developing

Clusters


BPA

Feedback Local Analysis

Engagement

Communication Relationship Proposal

Management

Development

Local Partnerships Research

Engagement Feedback Analysis

Relationship Communication

Management

Proposal

Development

Conduit between national and regional policy makers, BPA complements the regions’ own efforts to bring about

greater levels of empowerment and opportunity to the regions via the Chambers of Commerce.

Voice of Regions Magazine

Regional Producers Directory

Promoting SME’s / BizPAct

Support &

Engagement

New Development

Initiatives

Policy

Change

Championing

Change

Sharing Best

Practice

Information

& Support

Funding

Bodies

Project Monitoring

Management Communication Review

Relationship Partnerships

Management Feedback


Project

Design

MediaGovernment

Big Business,

NGO’s & other

Stakeholders

Reconciliation Committees

Learn & Lead

Investment / BizPAct

Conduit between national and regional policy makers, BPA complements the regions’ own efforts to bring about

greater levels of empowerment and opportunity to the regions via the Chambers of Commerce.

Reconciliation / Harmony Development Committees

Networking Regional Business for Conflict Transformation and

Reconciliation.

Multi-stakeholder committees and business leadership for

community harmony.

Early warning system – prevention of conflict.

Mitigate escalation of conflict.

Workshops & Seminars on Best Practices in Peace Building –

Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation.

Community Peace Building activities - multi ethnic, multi

religious events - festivals, trade fairs….


Peace through Empowerment

Peace & Conflict from a Regional Empowerment Perspective

in Sri Lanka.

Communication skills for better understanding.

Increase awareness of conflict on the ground.

Awareness of the need for sharing of power at regional level

for regional empowerment.

Stakeholder participation and ownership at local level.

Awareness programs on issues such as the New Companies Act

and the New Electricity Act.


Building the Capacity of Regions

BPA runs best practice workshops involving representatives

from all regions.

Reconciliation among communities.

Sharing experiences in income generation.

Communication and presentation skills.

Bridging the gap between the center and the regions for

sustainable and equitable socio-economic development in

the country.

Inclusive participatory approach to develop regional level

ownership and responsibility.


BizPAct :

Engagement with Investors & Policy Makers- Big business, the Diaspora and the Government

A platform to allow big business and the diaspora to explore joint venture partnerships with regional SME’s in a context sensitive, responsible and sustainable manner.

Diaspora to develop a stronger understanding of the context in Sri Lanka’s regions and help dispel some of the polarised perspectives of this influential community.

SME’s, Investors, and policy makers to understand the needs and aspirations of each other and engage in socially and environmentally sound, responsible and sustainable investments that benefit all.


Learn & Lead:

Empowering Youth - Leadership

A multi-stakeholder CSR initiative implemented by BPA with the

support of an imminent National Steering Committee.

Understanding regional youth aspirations and providing

opportunities for developing future leaders from the regions.

Scholarship scheme for deserving students from regions

affected by conflict and poverty to obtain a comprehensive

education in leading private schools.

Leadership skills development workshops in a multi-ethnic

environment for youth in the regions.


Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka (YESL):

Strategic Alliance – Entrepreneurship Development

Strategic Partnership with YESL to develop BizPAct entrepreneurs.

Provide support to uplift and assist Regional Small & Medium

Entrepreneurs (SME’s) in Sri Lanka to develop their enterprises.

Conduct workshops and SWOT analysis for SME’s, and site visits to

share experience of successful projects.

Training for the SME’s to prepare Business Plans, and Trade &

Market Development Plans.

YESL partnered BPA at the “BizPAct - Invest in Sri Lanka

Symposium 2009” which was attended by over 200 participants.



Empowering Youth - Entrepreneurship

A CSR initiative in support of Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka.

Promoting investment in our youth and the future of our nation

through youth entrepreneurship programs in regional schools.

Sharing best practices and knowledge between established

business and young entrepreneurs.

Fostering unity and harmony (and reconciliation) among youth.

Promoting Social & Environmental Stewardship and the “People-

Planet-Profit” Business Model.



Co-hosting Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW)

A worldwide movement of entrepreneurial people promoting entrepreneurship.

25,000 events, millions of participants, 1 week.

Mentoring Madness, Global Innovation Tournament, Global Cleantech Competition, Speed Network the Globe.


Youth Business Sri Lanka (YBSL):

Empowering Disadvantaged Youth

Collaboration with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce for the

country wide expansion of the Hambantota Youth Business Trust

(HYBT) of the Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce.

Implemented in 32 countries and modeled after the Youth Business

International of UK, to address socio-economic exclusion of youth

from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Provision of financial support to those who have a viable business

idea, to start up such enterprises and to provide business support

through Regional Chambers of Commerce and specifically through

a business mentor.


Association of Small and MediumEnterprises in Tourism Sri Lanka (ASMET):

Strategic Alliance – Empowering SME’s in Tourism

Regional Chambers as a focal point for local tourism development.

Institutional development and organization of the SME’s in tourism (largely an informal sector operating in isolation at this time).

Conducting seminars and workshops for product development, quality assurance and sharing best practices.

Lobbying and advocacy on behalf of the SME’s in tourism.

Stakeholder awareness and familiarization tours.

Managing expectations and impacts, and promoting Responsible Tourism where benefits are shared equitably with local communities.


Business for Unity Awards

Rewarding business for contribution to National Unity

The “Business for Unity Awards” ceremony organized by the Central Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the support of International Alert and BPA.

Paying tribute to regional business leaders for their commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and their personal contribution to foster unity amongst diverse ethnic and social groups in their communities and the country.

Respected and qualified persons act in an independent panel of judges to select the winners through a transparent and credible process.


Advocacy between the top and the bottom

Voice of Regions Newsletter.

Media and internet.

Symposia and workshops island wide.

Affiliation with Big Business and Policy Makers.

Understanding the New Companies Act and Electricity Act.

Understanding Labor laws and Taxation.

Submitting Proposals for Constitutional Reforms.

Submitting Proposals for National Budget.


Rebuilding Sri Lanka - Post War Action & CSR

Support to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s).

Assistance to hospitals.

Supply of essential items to camps.

Support to women and children in camps.

Livelihood development for future.

Language for livelihood.

Re-integration of ex-combatants - transform ex-combatants

into entrepreneurs - business skills, linking with chambers

and mentoring by senior regional businessmen.

Learn and Lead scholarships.


Promoting Small & Medium Enterprises (SME’s)

Strengthening links with local and national media to promote

regional SME’s through print and electronic media.

Regional Producers Directory – publication of profiles of

regional businesses across Sri Lanka.

Tourism development programs in collaboration with the

Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism Sri

Lanka (ASMET).

Investment promotion through programs such as BizPAct.

Entrepreneur development programs in collaboration with

Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka (YESL).


Fundraising to develop and maintain the Secretariat.

Staff mostly regional – Need to develop communication skills and

gain exposure to high level local and international stakeholders.

23 Directors of the Board – Scattered all over the country,

financial and time commitments to own districts and chambers,

lack of expertise, experience and sophistication to engage

appropriately with national policy makers and high level

stakeholders.

Maintaining Public, Private, People partnerships.

Keeping island wide network and stakeholders actively informed

and engaged – Communication.

Income generating programs – Need seed money to develop self

sustaining business models for BizPAct, Voice of Regions

Newsletter/Magazine, and the Chamber/business support

/extension services.


Regional Empowerment: Bringing ownership and active participation in regional development by the people of the regions while giving space for these entrepreneurs to develop confidence in their own capacity.

Creating responsible leaders and stakeholders of society with the capacity to change attitudes conducive for sustainable development and peace.

Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation: Social cohesion through commerce to break through barriers of geography, race, religion, class, caste and creed for a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka.

Philanthropy and CSR: Going beyond charity to create “social value” - giving a “hand-up” as opposed to a hand-out.


1. Ampara District Chamber of Commerce & Industry

2. Anuradapura District Chamber of Commerce

3. Batticaloa District Chamber of Commerce & Industry

4. Central Province Women's Chamber of Small Industry & Commerce

5. Chamber of Commerce & Industries of Yarlpanam

6. Chamber of Commerce & Industry Central Province

7. Chamber of Commerce & Industry Uva Province

8. Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Trincomalee District

9. Galle District Chamber of Commerce & Industry

10. Galle District Women’s Chamber of Commerce

11. Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce

12. Jaffna Chamber of Commerce

13. Kalutara District Chamber of Commerce & Industry

14. Kegalle District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture

15. Kurunegala District Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agri Business

16. Killinochchi District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture

17. Mannar District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture

18. Matale District Chamber of Commerce & Industry

19. Matara District Chamber of Commerce & Industry

20. Matara District Women's Chamber of Commerce

21. Moneragala District Chamber of Commerce

22. Polonnaruwa District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture

23. Puttalam District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agri Business

24. Sabaragamuwa Province Chamber of Commerce & Industry

25. Vavuniya District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture

26. Wayamba Chamber of Commerce and Industry


1. Maharaja Organization

2. Wijeya Newspapers

3. Young Asia Television

4. Smart Media

5. Triad

6. Lanka Orix Finance Company

7. HSBC Bank

8. Lanka Fishing Flies


LANKA FISHING FLIES

1. The Ministry of Disaster Management

2. The Ministry of Investment Promotion

3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs

4. The Ministry of Finance

5. The Central Bank

6. The Board of Investment (BOI)

7. Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA)

8. National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA)


1. American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka

2. Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism Sri Lanka

3. Ceylon Chamber of Commerce

4. Employers Federation of Ceylon

5. European Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka

6. National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka

7. Neelan Thiruchelvam Trust

8. Pathfinder Foundation

9. Sewa Lanka Foundation

10. Sri Lanka Business Development Center

11. Sri Lanka First

12. Sri Lanka Unites

13. Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka


1. International Alert

2. UNDP

3. VSO

4. The Netherlands Embassy


copyright 2010 © the business for peace alliancetraining for the sme’s to prepare business plans,...

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