The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for the period of 2023-2027 was jointly launched by the Government of Sri Lanka and the United Nations in Sri Lanka on 17th August 2022 at the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization & National Policies. It has developed through a consultative process among the Government, Private Sector, Civil Organizations and the UN country team in Sri Lanka in line with the Development Framework of the country considering the national and regional priorities, while focusing to achieve the 2030 Agenda based on the Sustainable Development Goals.
 
In order to facilitate the preparation process of this framework, joint National High Level Steering Committee was formed with the representatives from key line ministries, other government institutes and UN agencies and this committee was co-chaired by the Secretary to the Treasury and UN Resident Coordinator. With the approval of Steering Committee, Working Committee was formed and it was led by the Department of National Planning. On the other hand, as the dynamic nature of socio-economic situation of the country, it is expected that this framework will be reviewed annually according to the country context and the priorities of the Government through technical consultations with the relevant Government counterparts and other related stakeholders.
 
This coherent development framework serves as an umbrella policy document, guiding individual UN agencies to support Sri Lanka to accelerate actions toward the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the forthcoming period. This framework is structured around four interrelated and mutually reinforcing strategic priorities where the UN system will concentrate its expertise to support Sri Lanka to make transformational and accelerated progress in the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. The UNSDCF will be funded through core budget allocations of an estimated USD 60 Million, in addition to approx. USD 325 Million through other resources – spread across the five-year period of implementation.    

The Department of National Planning (NPD) coming under the purview of the Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs (MNPEA) organized workshops with the objective of enhancing the capacity of government officials to prepare informative, complete and detailed project proposals by means of streamlining the Public Investment Program (PIP) on 2^nd  and 5^th  July 2019 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. In both these workshops, over 200 officials were actively participated and contributed throughout the workshop representing  line ministries, relevant agencies and institutes.                           

This event was the second of the workshop series to disseminate and to equip officials engage in preparation of project proposals with necessary tools and techniques on the effective application of “Guidelines for Submitting Project Proposals” and the revised project format, which were introduced on January 2019 by the NPD. The first event, the inaugural workshop for high-level government officials including ministerial secretaries, was conducted on February 21, 2019.

Mr. S.S. Mudalige, Director General of the NPD in his opening remarks mentioned “Strengthening the capacity of government officials and provisioning of guidance for them to prepare informative and persuasive project proposals” is as the key objective of the workshop. As stakeholders of the country’s development, preparation of strategic and results-oriented project proposals that meet the needs of the targeted population is essential. Having such proposals, it will ensure sustained and inclusive economic growth within the limited available resource envelop while fulfilling the requirements of development initiatives at the global context such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Further, the NPD wishes to extend its support whenever stakeholders need a hand by continuing similar type of workshops in collaboration with the JICA.     

Department of National Planning coming under the purview of the Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development, Vocational Training & Skills Development and Youth Affairs (MNPEA) organized the Inaugural Workshop on New Project Submission Format for Development Project Proposals on February 21, 2019 at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. The aim of the workshop is to officially launch and raise awareness on the newly introduced the Operational Manual on “Guidelines for submitting Development Project Proposals for Public Investment” and the new project submission format, which has already been dispatched to ministries as per the  Circular No. MNPEA 02/2019 dated January 10^th, 2019. Around, 54 senior officials have been participated at this workshop representing line ministries, relevant institutes and agencies.

The Department of National Planning, announced that the department will organize the series of follow-up workshops for relevant ministries and agencies during coming months to support the preparation of project proposals with new format.

The Department of National Planning organized a full day workshop for the officers who involve in development planning in all ministries and provincial councils dividing them into three groups on the theme of “Strategic Project Preparation” in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on 14^th, 21^st and 28^th of September 2018. The objectives of this workshop were to introduce the revised project submission format and further enhance the competence of officials in strategic project preparation and appraisal through the practical sessions. Total number of 170 officials from 41 line ministries and 9 provincial councils participated in the workshop. The workshop was consisted of theoretical session on planning related terminologies and practical session on identifying key project components using given case studies. The workshop successfully concluded giving vast knowledge and experience in preparation of comprehensive project proposal.