Strengthening Social Enterprise Economic Resilience through Development Support: OceanBiome
A 4-part blog series about the aspirations of early-stage start-ups and their journey with the HackaDev Economic Resilience Coaching Programme authored by Ms. Kithmini Nissanka and Ms. Michali Martyn of Citra Social Innovation Lab.
The recent economic crisis in Sri Lanka took a heavy toll on the SME sector, once again placing many enterprises that had just begun to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in a familiar, vulnerable position. In light of the socio-economic context brought about by the crisis, the HackaDev Economic Resilience Coaching Programme (ERCP) was initiated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka to offer supportive measures to early-stage start-ups at this critical juncture and equip them with the tools and skills to achieve economic resilience. The programme provides comprehensive development support through mentorship, incubation, and financial assistance for start-ups to effectively respond to challenges, counter the impact felt by the crisis and upend the status quo through transformative adaptation.
Following a selection process, eight enterprises who were selected for the programme thus began their 6-month-long incubation journey. Fast-forward to today, these eight groups, who through hard work and dedication, have come a long way and emerged as successful registered businesses.
This is the story of OceanBiome and its journey with the HackaDev Economic Resilience Coaching Programme.
OceanBiome comprises a dedicated group of young individuals with a strong determination to safeguard the marine ecosystem and its future. The organisation has played a pivotal role in educating the general public about marine life conservation, resulting in increased oceanic literacy among the local community. OceanBiome actively works towards promoting tourism in Batticaloa by showcasing its unique traditional attractions and has also taken steps to organize beach cleanups to maintain a plastic-free coastline, yet another one of the group's endeavours which directly contributes to marine conservation efforts.
Upon joining the ERCP incubation programme, OceanBiome realigned its goals to promote activity-based tours for both local and international tourists. The experiential tours offer tourists and wayfarers a singular opportunity to engage in activities such as living a day in the life of a fisherman, observing the production process of Palmyrah-based products, sitting through a handloom weaving process, and even indulging in a herbal massage experience to name a few.
While Batticaloa has numerous appealing activities and destinations to explore, there have been limited means of promoting this holiday destination to tourists. Leveraging the support received from the HackaDev ERCP incubation process, the OceanBiome team expanded these experiential tours to attract more visitors to explore Batticaloa and its hidden treasures. The team also takes steps to protect the cultural heritage of Batticaloa and gives back to its community by donating a percentage of the profits generated towards marine conservation efforts.
OceanBiome's journey has been an exemplary, and inspirational one that has significantly contributed towards driving positive impact within the community. Through their work, they shine new light on Batticaloa and bring a sense of hope to the townspeople who work tirelessly to grow their businesses. The efforts of this talented team who have brought together people of all ages, are a testament to the power of collective action and have inculcated a sense of responsibility among local citizens, especially among the community’s junior members who display a keen interest in taking matters into their own hands and securing a better future for the marine ecosystem not just in Batticaloa but throughout the island too.
If you would like to find out more about OceanBiome and their programmes, visit their website at https://oceanbio.me/pages/1-0-index.php.
For more information, please contact: Kithmini Nissanka (shanika.kithmini-nissanka@undp.org)
