Project Duration: November 2023 – December 2024 Project Location: Kalutara District, Sri Lanka (Divisional Secretariat Divisions: Bandaragama, Kalutara, Panadura, Beruwala, Dodangoda, Mathhugama, Agalawaththa, Palindanuwara)

Project Description The second phase of the initiative aimed at promoting religious coexistence and reducing violent extremism in the Kalutara District was successfully launched and implemented over a one-year period. The project actively engaged young people from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds across eight Divisional Secretariat Divisions within the district. A core group of 80 youth participants, representing all major religious and ethnic communities, were directly involved. Two youth groups, BRAVE and LYA, were formed to lead localized efforts and initiatives. These participants underwent a comprehensive series of capacity-building training workshops, which focused on the following key areas: • Prevention of Violent Extremism • Promotion of the Rule of Law • Conflict Resolution and Management • Embracing Pluralism • Combating Hate Speech In partnership with Divisional Secretariats, the project facilitated community consultations to identify potential conflict triggers at the local level and subsequently developed context-specific intervention activities for each division. To broaden the outreach and impact, creative competitions such as drawing, essay writing, and debates were organized, specifically targeting school children across all three education zones in the Kalutara District. To foster a culture of religious harmony and mutual respect, several community-based initiatives were carried out, including: • Cultural Exhibitions • Public Awareness Programs • Inter-religious Dialogues and Development Programs • Social Media Training on Conflict Mitigation The initiative successfully brought together religious leaders, government officials, youth leaders, and students, promoting a spirit of collaboration and shared responsibility. As a result, the project contributed to the emergence of a motivated group of youth in Kalutara who value diversity, engage in intercultural dialogue, and are committed to building sustainable peace within their communities..