Chrysalis is a Company Limited by Guarantee and an affiliate of CARE International in Sri Lanka. The organisation works with local communities, private sector, government, and local and international civil society organisations (CSOs) to promote gender equality, promote the voice of women and youth and ensure economic empowerment. Chrysalis implemented the SPACE (Strengthening Policy and Action through Citizen’s Engagement) project to promote meaningful community governance by engaging citizens in activities of local government institutions. The SPACE project was funded by OAK Foundation and implemented by Chrysalis with the support of CARE USA. The project was implemented in Central, Uva, Northern and Eastern Provinces covering 5 Districts: 1) Kandy, 2) Nuwara Eliya, 3) Badulla,
4) Batticaloa and 5) Mullaitivu.
The objectives of the project were to 1) Facilitate and replicate a community governance model; 2) Enhance the capacities of local government officials; 3) Develop standard operating procedures manuals and technical resources; and 4) Facilitate the development of a local government policy framework for Sri Lanka. The project area is home to several marginalized groups including plantation communities (Central and Uva Provinces) and those affected by the war (Northern and Eastern Provinces).