The Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) hosted “The Big Lunch,” along with iLEAD International Academy and Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF); a groundbreaking event aimed at bringing together stakeholders for the promotion of green entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka. This gathering marked a significant step towards positioning Sri Lanka as a leader in environmental conservation and sustainable economic growth. The event was attended by the members of the Business Chambers, government officials from the Ministry of Environment, representatives of various UN agencies, International and National NGOs/ Civil Society Organizations, Academic and Research Institutions, independent Environmentalists and youth.
The focus of ‘The Big Lunch’ was to generate action ideas to protect and enhance Sri Lanka’s position by fostering a stronger approach to nature conservation, after being selected as one of the seven UN Flagship programs for mangrove restoration. The initiative on Green Entrepreneurship for Mangroves employs a tripartite approach, uniting local communities, businesses, and research institutions to coordinate mangrove restoration efforts effectively.
Mr. Ruwan Wijewardene, Senior Advisor to the President on Climate Change, speaking on the occasion as the Chief Guest, highlighted the need to create an environment conducive to open and constructive dialogue among all stakeholders. He expressed his confidence to say that this program would show to the world that economic growth and environmental conservation can coexist harmoniously. By supporting the development of entrepreneurial ventures that prioritizes environmental sustainability, COYLE is paving the way for a greener future.
COYLE members will play a crucial role in this initiative through the establishment of a new Entrepreneur Development Centre, which will provide support and resources to budding entrepreneurs dedicated to green business practices. Mr. Ravi Pratap Singh, a key advocate for green entrepreneurship and mangrove restoration in Sri Lanka, introduced the project at the event. He underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between the businesses, research institutions and institutions working for youth mobilization at the community level. While summarizing the action ideas that emerged from the Big Lunch, Dr. Rupesh Bhomia, Senior Scientist of CIFOR-ICRAF assured their continuing support to this project through the global technical expertise of ICRAF on the subject.
Chairman of COYLE, Mr. Thushira Raddella, encapsulated the spirit of the event with his remarks: “We aim to support those who are ready to develop entrepreneurial ventures via supporting the environment, especially conserving the mangroves. Through this, we can show the world that economic growth and environmental conservation can both go hand in hand. At COYLE, we believe that not only should we grow our existing entrepreneurs, but also we must promote new avenues of entrepreneurship and innovations.”
Restoring and protecting mangroves is crucial, as reflected in the UN Sustainable Development Goal SDG-14, which focuses on sustainably managing our oceans and coasts and recognizes mangroves’ immense value to local communities. Mr. Raddella added, “The importance of restoring and protecting mangroves is reflected most clearly in SDG 14. But restoring mangrove forests also supports the achievement of many other SDGs, including those related to eliminating poverty and hunger, ensuring livelihoods and economic growth, taking actions against climate change impacts, and halting biodiversity loss. We are glad to contribute towards the county’s Sustainability Development Goals via this project.”
The Big Lunch not only fostered important discussions but also laid the groundwork for a movement that empowers youth through sustainable entrepreneurship. The continued support and active participation of all stakeholders will be vital in realizing the goals set forth during this momentous event. Through collaborative efforts and innovative approaches, COYLE is committed to leading the way in green entrepreneurship and environmental conservation. The Big Lunch is just the beginning. Starting in September, ground-level work will be initiated
The informal nature of “The Big Lunch” facilitated in-depth discussions, during which actionable ideas were presented and deliberated upon. This initiative is a decisive step towards reversing the environmental damage caused to mangroves around Sri Lanka. Through the provision of entrepreneurial training, young entrepreneurs will be equipped to convert their innovative ideas into sustainable businesses. COYLE’s commitment to fostering green entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability, ensures that economic growth does not come at the expense of the environment.
COYLE, by supporting the creation of green entrepreneurial ventures, is leading the change towards a more sustainable and prosperous future for Sri Lanka, along with two of its crucial partners- iLEAD International Academy for youth mobilization and training and CIFOR-ICRAF for providing its technical expertise in the area of mangrove restoration.