SBN Sri Lanka 2024 Events Activity Update

Events and Activities of SUN Business Network Sri Lanka in 2024

31 January 2024: Webinar on Private Sector Engagement with NJPPP

The Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network (SBN), in collaboration with the Nutrition Japan Public-Private Platform (NJPPP), hosted an insightful webinar aimed at exploring and fostering private sector engagement in nutrition initiatives.

http://njppp.jp/en/event/858

http://njppp.jp/en/report/902

The webinar featured a panel discussion on the importance of the private sector’s commitment to workforce nutrition, with a special presentation from a member of SBN Sri Lanka, Hemas Holdings, a trusted and diversified corporate involved in the products and services in Consumer, Healthcare and Mobility sector of Sri Lanka. Hemas Holdings shared valuable insights into their ongoing efforts and strategies focused on improving workforce nutrition and promoting healthy workplace environments. Through this presentation, Hemas Holdings highlighted the positive impacts that supporting employee health can have on overall business productivity and well-being. The panel discussion served as a platform for sharing best practices, challenges, and opportunities for enhancing private sector involvement in nutrition and health initiatives.

02 February 2024: Dissemination of Operational Research Findings

Bringing together members of the Sri Lanka Business Network (SBN), including industry leaders such as Unilever, John Keells Holdings (JKH), SriLankan Airlines, and Cargills Ceylon, the dissemination event at the Family Health Bureau provided a platform for presenting key findings from operational research conducted in collaboration between the Sri Lanka College of Pediatricians’ and the World Food Programme (WFP). The session emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing nutrition and health outcomes in Sri Lanka. Key research findings were shared, highlighting areas of opportunity for private sector involvement, such as improving nutritional standards, addressing food security issues, and supporting sustainable health practices. The discussions underscored how industry players could play a pivotal role in shaping future strategies to combat malnutrition, support vulnerable populations, and align their business operations with national health objectives. With the increasing recognition of the private sector’s role in public health, the event encouraged dialogue on how corporations could integrate health and nutrition objectives into their business strategies. The session fostered greater awareness among SBN members about the pressing health challenges faced by the country and provided actionable insights for how businesses can contribute meaningfully to public health goals. It also set the stage for future partnerships and initiatives that can bridge gaps in health systems, promote sustainable nutrition practices, and create synergies between the public and private sectors in advancing the nation’s health priorities.

15 February 2024: SUN Joint Annual Assessment (JAA) Workshop

The SUN Joint Annual Assessment (JAA) Workshop was a key event focused on evaluating and advancing Sri Lanka’s national nutrition efforts. The workshop, held at the Presidential Secretariat, was led by Mr. Wernon Perera, the SUN Government Focal Point at the time. It brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from over 10 government ministries, United Nations agencies, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and the Presidential Secretariat. During the workshop, participants engaged in comprehensive discussions aimed at reviewing the progress made in national nutrition initiatives, identifying challenges faced throughout the year, and setting priorities for the coming period. The focus was on strengthening multi-sectoral collaboration and ensuring that efforts to improve nutrition outcomes across the country are integrated and sustainable. The workshop also provided an opportunity for the participants to assess the effectiveness of existing programs, highlight best practices, and identify areas where additional efforts were needed to achieve the country’s nutrition goals.

19 March 2024: SBN Steering Committee Formation Meeting

The Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network (SBN), in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), organized a Steering Committee Formation Meeting to initiate the formal structure for the SBN Sri Lanka Steering Committee for the term 2024-2026. This strategic gathering aimed to strengthen public-private partnerships focused on nutrition and food security in Sri Lanka by creating a dedicated leadership team to drive network activities and engagement.

At this meeting, six representatives from the private sector, all active members of SBN, were appointed as Steering Committee members. These members will collaborate closely with designated focal points from both SBN and WFP, ensuring alignment with broader objectives of improving nutrition outcomes and fostering sustainable practices in the private sector.

A total of 22 stakeholders attended the meeting, which took place at the WFP Country Office. The attendees included representatives from various private sector businesses, emphasizing the collaborative approach essential for addressing the country’s nutritional challenges. The Steering Committee is set to guide and implement initiatives under the SBN framework through 2026, ensuring impactful and measurable outcomes in nutrition and food security across Sri Lanka.

24 April 2024: Newly appointed SUN Focal Point’s First Meeting with SBN In-Country Members

Ms. D. L. U. Peiris, the newly appointed SUN (Scaling Up Nutrition) Government Focal Point, convened her inaugural meeting with members of the SUN Business Network (SBN) in Sri Lanka. Held at the Presidential Secretariat, the meeting served as a platform for Ms. Peiris to formally introduce herself to the SBN members and engage them in an open discussion about the network’s contributions to Sri Lanka’s Multi-Sector Action Plan for Nutrition.

The session focused on SBN’s critical role in mobilizing private-sector support to address malnutrition and the importance of collaboration among government, business, and community sectors. Ms. Peiris highlighted her vision for strengthening public-private partnerships under the Multi-Sector Action Plan for Nutrition framework and encouraged innovative approaches to align business operations with national nutrition goals. This first meeting set the stage for a renewed commitment to tackling malnutrition and advancing nutrition-related objectives in line with the SUN Movement’s goals.

28 May 2024: SBN Steering Committee Strategy Meeting

The Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network (SBN) Steering Committee convened with representatives from the World Food Programme (WFP) to review and finalize the SBN Sri Lanka strategy. The discussions aimed to establish clear goals and priorities for the upcoming Nutrition Month 2024 publication, including targeted initiatives that align with national nutrition objectives. The meeting also focused on fostering private sector engagement in nutrition-related activities, exploring how businesses can contribute to nutritional improvement through sustainable practices, product innovations, and community outreach. Key action points were identified for both short- and long-term collaborations to address malnutrition and promote healthier dietary practices across Sri Lanka.

May-June 2024: Telephone-Based Survey of SBN’s SMEs

The Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network (SBN) conducted a comprehensive telephone-based survey with 70 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) within the food industry. This survey aimed to gather in-depth insights into how COVID-19 and ongoing economic challenges have affected the operations, productivity, and resilience of these businesses. SBN’s survey sample included a balanced representation, with 34 female and 36 male respondents, ensuring gendered perspectives in the data gathered.

The survey findings contribute to SBN’s global monitoring efforts by offering a real-time overview of the pandemic’s and economic downturn’s impacts on SMEs. These insights are critical in shaping targeted support strategies for enhancing SME resilience and continuity within the nutrition sector. This information will guide SBN’s initiatives aimed at providing resources, policy advocacy, and technical assistance to help SMEs navigate disruptions, adapt to changing market demands, and sustain their roles in nutrition-related value chains.

1 August 2024: Annual Gathering of SBN Sri Lanka

The Annual Gathering of the SUN Business Network (SBN) Sri Lanka was held at the Courtyard by Marriott in Colombo. This significant event brought together over 100 participants, including representatives from the private sector, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and development partners, all committed to addressing malnutrition and promoting healthy diets in Sri Lanka. Discussions centred on advancing private sector engagement in nutrition-focused initiatives, sharing best practices, and exploring innovative solutions to enhance nutrition outcomes across the country. The gathering also highlighted successful partnerships, new trends in nutrition science, and opportunities for scaling up impactful nutrition interventions within various sectors. The event reinforced SBN Sri Lanka’s commitment to fostering a collaborative environment for sustainable, scalable nutrition solutions in line with national health and development goals.

27 August 2024: Online Steering Committee Meeting

The Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network (SBN) Steering Committee held an online meeting to review progress, discuss ongoing activities, and set priorities for the coming months. The session provided a platform for Steering Committee members to share updates on key initiatives, identify emerging challenges, and collaboratively strategize solutions. Discussions centred on advancing core objectives, including enhancing private sector engagement, strengthening partnerships for nutrition impact, and ensuring alignment with the broader goals of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement. The committee also assessed resource needs, and established action points to drive forward impactful nutrition-focused interventions.

Empowering SME Initiatives through Strategic Partnerships with Large-Scale Businesses

The SUN Business Network (SBN) worked collaboratively showcasing Cargills Lak Bojun, a pioneering initiative led by Cargills (a leading and trusted private sector conglomerate) aimed at empowering female entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. The program contributes to improving access to healthy, affordable meals while fostering economic independence for women. SBN SL at the initial stage in 2022 supported Cargills Lak Bojun initiative by providing five meal carts, providing a platform for women entrepreneurs to sell healthy, affordable snacks at Cargills supermarket outlets. This initiative not only increases the availability of nutritious food choices but also creates entrepreneurial opportunities for women, allowing them to run small businesses and promote healthier eating habits among consumers. Aligned with the goals of the SBN, the meal cart project is an example of the promotion of sustainable, nutritious food and supports female entrepreneurship in the nutrition field.

Additionally, success stories from SBN’s Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) members were carefully curated. These stories illustrated the impactful and innovative local efforts in nutrition, underscoring how businesses can play a transformative role in addressing public health challenges through sustainable practices and community engagement. The goal was to demonstrate the potential for private sector involvement in scaling up nutrition and to inspire further collaboration in promoting health and wellness at a broader level.

“I used to struggle with financial insecurity, worrying about how I would cover my medical expenses and take care of my family. But through Cargills Lak Bojun, I found a way to turn things around. With my earnings, I was able to pay for my medical needs and even create jobs for others in my community, and my kitchen is never empty. I am now independent and no longer a burden on my family. This journey has given me a sense of pride and stability that I’ve never known before.”​ – Eranga

“Before joining Cargills Lak Bojun, I was drowning in debt, and I had to pawn my jewelry just to get by. But after starting my food cart, everything changed. I paid off my loan, redeemed my pawned jewelry, and even managed to buy a three-wheeler for my family. My income now supports us, and I’m proud I can provide my sons new opportunities. I feel financially secure and empowered for the first time”. – Purnalatha
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October 2024: Consultation with WFP’s SBC Expert

The members of the Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network (SBN) Steering Committee convened a meeting with the Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Expert from the World Food Programme’s (WFP) Regional Bureau. During the meeting, discussions focused on identifying key areas where SBC can be integrated into SBN initiatives, emphasizing the importance of behaviour change in improving nutrition outcomes for schoolchildren. The SBN Steering Committee members discussed to assess the strategic direction of SBN and explore opportunities for harmonizing it with WFP Sri Lanka’s SBC initiatives. This includes strengthening efforts to influence healthier eating habits, promote nutrition education, and foster community engagement in school meal programs. Moving forward, the SBN Steering Committee aims to refine its approach based on these insights, ensuring that SBC interventions are effectively incorporated into their programming to enhance long-term nutrition outcomes.

25 October 2024: UN Day Participation – Cargills Lak Bojun

Cargills Sri Lanka’s commitment to nutrition was clearly demonstrated through the active involvement at the UN Day 2024 staff event. Through her leadership, Group Manager of Food Safety and Nutrition, at Cargills who also serves as a steering committee member of the Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network (SBN) supported the participation of female entrepreneurs from their Cargills Lak Bojun meal cart initiative, where they showcased a wide variety of healthy, locally produced food products. This reinforced Cargills’ dedication to advancing nutritious, local food options while empowering female entrepreneurs in the nutrition sector.

At the UN Day event, the Cargills Lak Bojun stall highlighted both traditional and innovative foods made from local ingredients, underscoring the importance of sustainable nutrition. This engagement provided a unique opportunity to showcase the company’s values and the essential role of female-led businesses in creating healthier communities.