Standard Chartered has entered into a two-year partnership with SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka upon identifying the urgent need to reskill the youth of the country, especially amidst the challenges posed by the ongoing global pandemic. 350 youth from vulnerable backgrounds will be reskilled through the initiative, empowering them to face the future with relevant skills, whilst eliminating the possibility of these youngsters being exposed to socio-economic challenges.

The project was launched recently at the SOS Children’s Village in Piliyandala with the participation of Divakar Ratnadurai - National Director, Dhananjaya Perera - Programme Director, Kirthi Hettiarachchi – Deputy National Director and Janaka Wijekoon - Director National Youth Care of SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka and Anuk De Silva, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing - Standard Chartered Sri Lanka along with the Project Coordinators of SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka and Standard Chartered officials.

Standard Chartered aims at uplifting the lifestyles of all youth beneficiaries of the project, with funding from the Standard Chartered Foundation. Over the 2-year partnership, SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka will receive a sum of USD 290,445 from the Standard Chartered Foundation which will be utilised for the youth reskilling activities. The project will strengthen employability and entrepreneurial skills of the youth chosen from among young care leavers at SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka, and students of the vocational training centres, while enhancing resilience of young people in alternative care settings about to transition to independent living.

Speaking at the launch event, Divakar Ratnadurai, National Director, SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka stated, “We thank the Standard Chartered Foundation in the UK for joining hands with SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka through their ‘Futuremakers’ initiative in reskilling care leavers to find employment opportunities in this difficult time caused by the pandemic. Together, we hope to re-skill 350 care leavers in order to help them find opportunities in the job market. We as an organisation strongly believe in the need for empowering youth to face the future through reskilling, and we are happy and grateful that the Standard Chartered Foundation also believes in this cause. We are also thankful to Standard Chartered in Sri Lanka for the support rendered to make this initiative possible.”

“Standard Chartered aims to uplift the lifestyles of all project beneficiaries backed by the funding of the Standard Chartered Foundation as we continue to have the best interests of our communities at heart. We believe the partnership with SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka will not only help in terms of empowering our youth, but will also contribute to moulding responsible, talented and independent citizens who will play a crucial role in the growth of our motherland’s economy, culture and communities. We hope to closely work with SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka in making this project a success through the contribution of our volunteer network and knowledge resources,” Anuk De Silva, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing, Standard Chartered Sri Lanka stated at the event.

Futuremakers by Standard Chartered is the Bank’s global initiative to tackle inequality. It promotes greater economic inclusion for disadvantaged young people through education, employability and entrepreneurship programmes. The Standard Chartered Foundation is an independent, charitable foundation led by its own Board of Trustees and is supported by a Programme Steering Committee.

Image: Anuk De Silva (Head Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing – Standard Chartered Sri Lanka), handing over the cheque to Divakar Ratnadurai (National Director SOSCVSL) at the launch ceremony.