Since launching in 2017, the Skills for Inclusive Growth (S4IG) program, has made significant strides in promoting vocational training and employment for marginalised communities in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector. Collaboration with the Australian Government and Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Education, S4IG is creating sustainable job opportunities, boosting incomes, and fostering business growth through a focus on skills development that caters to diverse groups, ensuring that marginalised individuals can participate meaningfully in Sri Lanka’s growing tourism industry.

And the work has not gone unnoticed.

One of S4IG’s flagship initiatives, EQUITAS, has recently been shortlisted for the Zero Project Awards 2025, a prestigious global recognition of efforts to promote disability inclusion. EQUITAS, which stands for “Ensuring Quality Inclusion, Transferring Access and Success,” is a training initiative designed to provide vocational and on-the-job training for people with disabilities, specifically individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Down syndrome.

The EQUITAS Initiative: Empowering People with Disabilities

The EQUITAS initiative empowers people with disabilities by offering them the skills and training necessary to access employment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector. Through a partnership with the Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka, the program enrolled 20 individuals—10 with ASD and 10 with Down syndrome—into tailored vocational training courses. These courses prepare participants for roles such as data entry operators and food and beverage service personnel, providing both theoretical and practical training.

A critical component of EQUITAS is its commitment to Reasonable Adjustment. Developed by S4IG and endorsed by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission of Sri Lanka, the Reasonable Adjustment framework ensures that training and assessments are adapted to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. This framework is essential in creating an inclusive learning environment where participants can succeed without barriers.

Through EQUITAS, S4IG has pioneered a replicable model for inclusive training that can be adapted across various sectors.

Financial support also plays a key role in the initiative. EQUITAS provides participants with scholarships and subsidies to help them cover the costs associated with their training. This financial assistance ensures that trainees can fully engage with the programme and take full advantage of the opportunities it provides. Additionally, the initiative integrates trainees into actual workplaces within the tourism and hospitality industries, giving them hands-on experience and facilitating long-term employment prospects.

The Zero Project Awards: Global Recognition for Disability Inclusion

The Zero Project, an Austrian-based non-profit organisation, was established to advance the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Since its founding, the Zero Project has built a global network of over 10,000 experts, policymakers, corporations, academics, and advocates, all working to promote disability inclusion.

Each year, the Zero Project invites innovative projects from around the world to compete for its annual awards. The focus for the 2025 awards is on Inclusive Employment and Information and Communication Technology, two crucial areas for improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. Projects are evaluated based on their scalability, inclusivity, and impact.

Being shortlisted for the Zero Project Awards is a significant achievement for S4IG and its EQUITAS initiative and highlights the importance of the work being done in Sri Lanka to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workforce. “We are honoured to be recognised for our work promoting long-term inclusion in the workforce,” says Stephen Lodziak, Skills for Inclusive Growth Team Leader.

“This recognition by the Zero Project underscores the importance of creating systems where people with disabilities can thrive.”

S4IG’s Broader Mission and Impact

EQUITAS is just one part of S4IG’s broader mission to promote inclusion, equity, and sustainable economic development through vocational training. By focusing on marginalised communities, including people with disabilities, S4IG is driving systemic change within Sri Lanka’s tourism sector. The programme’s efforts to bridge the skills gap and provide marginalised individuals with real-world employment opportunities have the potential to transform lives and contribute to the country’s economic growth.

“The Zero Project Awards shortlist is a recognition of the significant impact EQUITAS has had on promoting vocational training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities,” explains Lodziak. “As the program continues, S4IG looks forward to expanding its initiatives and continuing to build a more inclusive and equitable workforce in Sri Lanka and beyond.”
Next Steps

The next stage of the Zero Project Awards will see global experts from the Zero Project network voting on the shortlisted projects. The final awardees will be announced on 3 December 2024, marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Winning projects will be invited to showcase their initiatives at the Zero Project Conference 2025, held at the United Nations Offices in Vienna, Austria, and will be featured in the annual Zero Project Report.