A consortium of Sri Lankan and European universities have received three years of funding (2025–2028) from the European Commission for IGnite – Inclusive Green Education for Bridging Gaps in Higher Education and Career Development.
Led by the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka with ISS/EUR participating as a co-partner, IGnite will launch an online BSc in Sustainable Regional Planning and Climate Resilience, designed to address urgent national challenges such as rapid urbanization, deforestation and escalating climate risks.
By targeting eligible youth and professionals, the programme aims to strengthen employment opportunities and foster socioeconomic mobility while making sustainable planning and climate resilience a national priority.
Consortium of Sri Lankan and European universities
The project brings together a dynamic consortium of Sri Lankan and European universities (University of Peradeniya, Sabaragamuwa University and University of Zagreb), national institutions (Sri Lanka’s Land Use Policy Planning Department, Urban Development Authority and Meteorological Department) and private-sector partners (Janathakshan Guarantee Ltd).
At ISS/EUR, Dr Shyamika Jayasundara-Smits serves as project leader, with Dr Julien François-Gerber and Dr Helena Pérez Niño as team members. Sharmini Selvarajah is project manager and Dr Patrizia Rampioni is grant advisor.
The project’s total budget amounts to €797,508.45.
