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.
BY NELUM BUDDHADASA