Our Partners
At DVV International, partnerships are at the heart of everything we do. We work side by side with key government institutions across Sri Lanka to promote lifelong learning and open new pathways for youth and adults in rural communities.
Together, we operate at three levels; macro, meso, and micro - connecting national policy to institutional practice and real learning opportunities in people’s lives. Working with the government allows us to reach more learners, ensure that our initiatives are sustainable within national systems, and build a stronger foundation for a lifelong learning culture across the country.
Our partnerships extend well beyond Colombo. Through the provincial and district offices of our partner institutions, particularly in Ampara and Puttalam, we bring opportunities closer to the communities that need them most. Together, we focus on career guidance, life coaching, skills development, and enterprise learning, helping people gain confidence, purpose, and prospects for a better future.
Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education
The Ministry of Education provides overall vision and leadership for Sri Lanka’s education and skills development landscape. Within our collaboration, the Ministry guides the career guidance and counseling component of the model, a crucial bridge that helps young people and adults identify meaningful learning and employment pathways.
DVV International works closely with the Ministry to strengthen the links between schools, vocational training institutions, and community learning spaces, ensuring that learning never stops when formal schooling ends. Through its provincial and district networks, the Ministry helps bring the concept of lifelong learning to life at the local level, where it truly matters.
Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC)
The Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission stands at the centre of Sri Lanka’s skills ecosystem. It ensures that training is relevant, recognized, and responsive to the needs of both people and the economy.
Within this partnership, TVEC provides policy direction, research, and quality assurance, bringing a holistic perspective that connects qualifications, opportunities, and national development goals.
DVV International works with TVEC to promote innovation, flexibility, and inclusion within the training system, ensuring that even community-based learning initiatives can one day fit within the national qualifications framework. Through its provincial and district presence, TVEC helps translate national strategy into local action, creating a bridge between policy and practice.
Vocational Training Authority (VTA)
The Vocational Training Authority is one of Sri Lanka’s most trusted public training providers, with centers that reach every corner of the island.
In our collaboration, VTA plays a leading role in delivering practical skills training and business education for young people and adults. Together, we aim to make vocational learning more adaptive, inclusive, and demand-driven, ensuring that learners not only acquire skills but also find pathways to decent work and income generation.
Department of Technical Education and Training (DTET)
The Department of Technical Education and Training oversees the country’s network of Technical Colleges and advanced training centers. Within the lifelong learning framework, DTET contributes to institutional development, teaching quality, and innovation in learning delivery.
DVV International works with DTET to promote inclusive access to technical education, particularly for learners outside traditional systems. Together, we are strengthening the bridge between formal education and community-based learning, making technical education more accessible and relevant to real-world challenges.
National Youth Services Council (NYSC)
The National Youth Services Council has long been a cornerstone of youth empowerment in Sri Lanka. Within our partnership, NYSC leads the life coaching and personal development element of the model, helping young people gain confidence, resilience, and clarity in their life choices.
DVV International supports NYSC to integrate adult learning principles and participatory methods, turning its youth programs into spaces of reflection, dialogue, and growth. At district level, NYSC’s network of youth centers and clubs provides a powerful channel for reaching young people where they are; and helping them take their next step forward.
Department of Agriculture (DoA)
The Department of Agriculture brings its rich legacy of agricultural expertise to the partnership. With its guidance, lifelong learning becomes a practical tool for improving productivity, sustainability, and rural livelihoods.
Together, DVV International and the DoA promote hands-on learning, innovation, and entrepreneurship within the agriculture sector. By combining technical know-how with community learning, we help rural youth and farmers see agriculture not just as a tradition, but as a profession full of potential.
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DoFAR)
The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources plays an essential role in developing sustainable livelihoods for coastal and inland communities.
Within the lifelong learning framework, DoFAR supports skills development, business awareness, and livelihood improvement in fisheries-related sectors. Our partnership helps local training and learning spaces stay connected to the realities of the coastal economy, building knowledge that leads to opportunity, self-reliance, and community well-being.
National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA)
The National Enterprise Development Authority champions the spirit of entrepreneurship across Sri Lanka. As part of our model, NEDA leads the enterprise development and business skills component, helping learners move from training to tangible income-earning opportunities.
DVV International works with NEDA to develop locally adaptable training tools, mentoring approaches, and institutional linkages that nurture entrepreneurship at the community level. Together, we ensure that learning translates into livelihoods and that self-employment becomes a real and respected option for youth and adults alike.
Working Together for Lifelong Learning
These partnerships represent more than cooperation, they reflect a shared commitment to inclusion, innovation, and empowerment.
By linking policy to practice, and learning to livelihoods, we are building a system of lifelong learning that is relevant, resilient, and rooted in the realities of Sri Lanka’s people.
Through this joint effort, we believe that learning can truly change lives, not just for today, but for generations to come.