GLX and Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance to provide grants for SMEs to strengthen tourism resilience

GoodLife X in partnership with Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance comes forward to assist the nation’s tourism sector by initiating the ‘Grants for Tourism Resilience’ program for SMEs in the tourism industry. Another ‘first’ for the country, this unique program is designed to guide SMEs in successfully navigating the changing environment and adapting to new markets by identifying and leveraging opportunities brought on by the current global crisis.  

At the virtual information session held on 7 December, Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance Co-Chair Malik J. Fernando welcomed potential applicants by stating, “We have partnered with GoodLife X because we want to support sustainable ideas that helps your business innovate, grow and build back better. Sustainable ideas have longer lasting impact that support rather than detract from the environment, so it adds value to our biodiversity, supports local communities and local culture while providing your business with an income stream.”

GLX Program Director Randhula de Silva further emphasised, “The collaboration between GLX and the Tourism Alliance is important due to the synchrony of the values shared by both parties. It is why we decided to collaborate by extending this grant through the Tourism Alliance. We also took into consideration the outreach Tourism Alliance has across all regions along with their sustainability focus. One of the key factors that drives us at GLX is to nurture businesses that do well for the society, the people and the planet and we feel that is exactly what Tourism Alliance is set out to do.” 

To be applicable for this grant, the SME should be registered with the Department of the Registrar of Companies. The program is also aimed at businesses which have completed a minimum of two years in operations. Once selected, an individual SME can apply for a grant between EUR 5,000 up to EUR 10,000 with a total of EUR 50,000 available for granting. The grant funding can be utilised in implementing an innovative sustainable idea which will enable the company to become more resilient and create a lasting impact on the environment, local communities and/or local culture along with providing the business with the opportunity to innovate and expand attraction from global markets.

The closing date for all applications is by midnight of 18 December. Interested applicants can view the information session on the Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance Facebook Page on https://www.facebook.com/TourismAlliance/videos/179662593844094. More information about the program and the application process can be found on https://www.srilankatourismalliance.com/grants-for-tourism-resilience/.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance is a free membership-based organisation, formed after the 2019 Easter attacks, whose mission is to build a resilient and strong private sector that embraces international sustainable tourism best practices where tourism benefits are driven to communities and people across Sri Lanka at every level, working alongside existing industry associations. 

GoodLife X is a program offering support and solutions for innovative sustainable businesses. GLX aims to help small businesses that can have a positive impact on wellness and health, the environment, and foster social and economic prosperity, to scale their products and services to reach local and global markets. The GLX Garage program for SMEs was launched as a COVID response initiative of Noah Foundation in Germany with the support of GIZ and German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).