Project Roots

“Absorb Culture, Empower Lives”

Vision

To lower the barriers for Sri Lankan diaspora and others to gain cultural intelligence and awareness while empowering local communities

Mission

By facilitating the opportunity to learn about the roots of Sri Lankan culture and support local initiatives, we offer a cultural immersion programme for our changemakers to deeply connect with language, arts, cultural practices, wellness and land — led by locals.

Context

Brain Drain

Due to political instability for over 25+ years in Sri Lanka, there has been a brain drain. The population of Sri Lankan diaspora is approximately 2m+ which is almost 10% of the current population. Over 311,000 Sri Lankans left for foreign employment in 2022 alone

Economic Crisis

By 2022, Sri Lanka had endured the worst political, economic and humanitarian crisis reaching USD $76.8bn debt, 74% consumer inflation and approximately +25% people falling below the poverty line

What problem are we solving?

Diaspora Cultural Deterioration

The challenges faced by diaspora youth are not limited to economic or educational barriers (e.g., racism, discrimination, etc). Many feel caught between two worlds, struggling with a dual cultural identity that creates a sense of being “in-between” – disconnected from both their ethnic heritage and their peers in their residing countries. Without a strong understanding of their cultural roots, many in the diaspora face challenges forming a cohesive sense of self. This lack of ancestral cultural intelligence can inhibit not only personal/professional development but also the integration of future migrant cycles into multicultural societies

What is the programme?

Project Roots addresses the aforementioned dual challenge by offering a diaspora operating model that bridges the gap between Sri Lankans abroad and the cultural and economic development needs of their homeland. This model will offer a structured cultural immersion programme, anchored in an Indigenous Cultural Framework, which includes language, arts, cultural practices, wellness, and land-based education.

The programme will follow three steps:

  1. Learn: Participants will learn about Sri Lankan culture through workshops led by local experts.
  2. Practice: Participants will engage in community service to apply their cultural learnings. Through supporting local initiatives, they will apply their skills to empower local communities and the Sri Lankan economy.
  3. Reflect: Workshops and group discussions will help participants solidify their insights.

Cultural Pillars

Community

Service and immersion with local organisation and community

Language

Oral, written, reading

Arts

History, philosophy, music, dance, literature, values, styles, arts and patterns

Cultural practices

Food, ceremonies, festivals, family life, ritual, public life, way of life

Wellness

Connection with self (mind, body and soul) through yoga, meditation, ayurvedic practices and awareness of religion (not the teaching)

Land

How to live with the land (e.g. permaculture, ecology, anthropology, geography, agriculture, horticulture, urban planning, energy, finances, economics, engineering, etc)

Why join the programme?

Community

Connect with locals / Sri Lankan diaspora / other ethnicities from around the world and make life-long friendships

Identity

Gain self-awareness, through a holistic understanding and appreciation for the Sri Lankan culture

Wisdom

Learn from local communities, tap into ancestral knowledge and undergo profound personal development!

Authentic Experience

Support community-based tourism and immerse yourself with the culture

Regenerative Empowerment

Collaborate with local organisations that have deep understanding of the problems that Sri Lankan communities face

Legacy

After building the foundations during the programme, continue to collaborate with the roots network and give back to local communities digitally and within your residing countries

Pilot Programme Details

   Key Information

  • Who are we looking for?
    • Must be over 18 years
    • Sri Lankan diaspora
    • People from other nationalities who are culturally curious
  • Time commitment is flexible – we are open to discussing how much time you can give while ensuring a sustainable impact on local communities
  • Cohort intake (we are also flexible for people to join outside of these times):
    • Cohort 0 – Dec 2024 – Mar 2025
    • Cohort 1 – Jun 2025 – Aug 2025
    • Cohort 2 – Dec 2025 – Mar 2026
    • Cohort 3 – Jun 2026 – Aug 2026
  • Progamme will take place in Sri Lanka
    • Exact Location – TBC (we are currently in discussions with NGO’s)
    • We are also looking to place people based on their family location
  • Donate based on your experience (:
    • Volunteers cover = flights, insurance + emergency fund
      (Project Roots: working on fees free / discount on accommodation, food and transport)
Tharaka MunidasaProject Roots