Active Citizens- Supporting Effective Dispute Resolution (SEDR) project was implemented by the European Union (EU) through British Council, Sri Lanka, partnered with Muslim Aid Sri Lanka (MASL). This project has sparked a positive change within society with various project activities being conducted over the years.

Active Citizens focuses on social cohesion and peacebuilding and involves youth who are interested and passionate about peacebuilding and are determined to make a change in their community. The youth have been given grants to carry out Social Action Projects (SAPs) to resolve conflicts at the community level.

One of the Social Action projects being carried out is “Towards a Change”, conducted by the youth in Samanthuraui, Ampara. This project strives to resolve the disputes within communities in Samanthurai and to evoke a sense of unity among the community members through the implementation of various activities.

The youth are given training on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), awareness on creating and sustaining long term peace and unity within communities, holding discussions with communities to understand and identify their problems and propose feasible solutions.

Today, a cultural program was organized by the youth where members from every community performed and showcased various acts that displayed their culture and traditions. This event brought all the communities together, united them and allowed them to embrace each other’s cultures, thereby causing a positive change in the community.