Unilever promotes micro-entrepreneurship

Unilever Sri Lanka recognized and rewarded the star performers of its project Saubhagya at its annual award ceremony held at Cinnamon Lakeside. Project Saubhagya is an initiative to facilitate economic independence among women in rural Sri Lanka, by encouraging them to become micro-entrepreneurs.

This year, more than 70 Saubhagya entrepreneurs who achieved their targets were recognized at the event. The winners received rewards amounting to a total of over two million rupees. Present at the occasion were the Management Committee of Unilever Sri Lanka, as well as the Director General and other officials of Samurdhi Authority.

Olympic medalist Ms. Susanthika Jayasinghe delivered a motivational speech. Unilever launched project Saubhagya eight years ago in collaboration with the Samurdhi Authority of Sri Lanka. Saubhagya mobilizes rural women to become entrepreneurs, providing them with a sustainable source of income by recommending and selling Unilever brands to households in their villages.

The programme allows them to be direct-to-home ambassadors for Unilever brands. Unilever Saubhagya operates in 170 Samurdhi societies and has been instrumental in enhancing the livelihoods of over 3,000 women and their families.

Speaking on the occasion, Kumudu de Silva, Channel Manager, Saubhagya said, "Project Saubhagya has created a social as well as an economic impact on its stakeholders and the country at large. It encourages rural women to independent enhance their livelihoods".

The Gamata Saubhagya project, an extension of the core Saubhagya initiative, commenced in 2011, and has funded 35 community projects islandwide, with an investment of nearly Rs. two million. These include renovation of schools and Montessories, drinking water projects, road development projects, renovation of community centers and construction of bridges. "All these were possible as a result of the support and commitment extended by our Saubhagya members and Samurdhi Authority." he added.