Projects

2016 - 2018

Completed

SPACE – Community Governance Programme (Enhancing Community Participation and Structures)

The SPACE Project – Community Governance Programme focused on strengthening community-level governance structures known as “Praja Mandala” across multiple provinces in Sri Lanka.

Implemented by Chrysalis with funding from CARE USA and the OAK Foundation, the project aimed to deepen citizen participation, accountability, and inclusive decision-making at the local level. By strengthening these grassroots governance platforms, SPACE laid the foundation for stronger community leadership and sustainable local development.

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Implementation

The project worked to:

  • Strengthen and expand Praja Mandala (community governance bodies).
  • Build the capacity of community members to engage in local decision-making.
  • Develop guidelines and frameworks to scale and replicate Praja Mandala structures across provinces.
  • Encourage inclusive participation, especially of women and marginalized groups, in community governance.

Beneficiaries

The primary beneficiaries included community leaders, grassroots groups, and local residents who gained stronger platforms to voice concerns, participate in governance, and influence local development priorities in their areas.

Key Outcomes

  • Strengthened community governance structures (Praja Mandala) across provinces.
  • Increased citizen participation in local decision-making processes.
  • Development of standardized guidelines to support national-level expansion.
  • Improved transparency, accountability, and community leadership.
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Supporting Donors & Partners

This project was made possible through the generous support of our donors, whose contributions played a vital role in planning, implementation, and successful delivery. Their commitment to social impact and sustainable development helped drive meaningful change and ensured that the project objectives were achieved for the benefit of the communities involved.