Growth Gear – a platform poised to uplift rural communities
While Sri Lanka’s rural economy holds immense potential, with over 83 per cent of the population living outside urban areas, women in these communities often face significant barriers to economic participation.
The country continues to seek inclusive growth strategies and a compelling model. It demonstrates that when women in rural areas are given the right tools, mentorship, and access to markets, they are more than capable of leading enterprises that are good for people, communities, and the planet.
A year ago, Good Market Lanka implemented the ‘Growth Gear’ programme in the Hambantota district, co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, under the Vocational Training Project. Hundreds of applications were received initially and provided with hands-on training in product development, branding, financial literacy, and digital marketing. The participants were equipped not only with practical tools, but also with confidence and clarity. One-on-one mentorship and peer learning groups helped deepen skills and strengthen business ideas, while market testing provided a platform for real-time customer feedback and validation.
Fifteen women entrepreneurs from the Hambantota district were chosen by the end of the programme and the pitching demo day was held at the Ape Gama in Colombo last week. The demo day offered each entrepreneur, the opportunity to present their business model to a panel of judges, potential buyers, investors, and development partners.
They presented their business ideas varying from natural soap production, creating value added food products from Jackfruit, dry fish products, herbal tea blends from butterfly pea and rosella flowers, eco-friendly crafts, handcrafted bags using palmyrah, peanut butter and healthy snacks and natural cosmetics. Some other entrepreneurs presented their products in the categories of apparel, embroidery-based crafts, metal recycling, and herbal skincare. The women entrepreneurs are now poised to grow their businesses, uplift their communities, and inspire the next generation of rural innovators.
‘Growth Gear’ initiative brought together the expertise and collaboration of three key partners: Good Market as the lead implementing organisation, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce as the organising partner of the pitching demo day, and the Hambantota Women’s Federation, which has played a vital role in community outreach, engagement, and ongoing participant support. Structured in four key phases; open call and selection, foundational training, mentorship and peer learning, and market testing, the programme offered women entrepreneurs a comprehensive development journey.
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