A Development Network Organization of Fisher folk The Small Fishers Federation was set up in 1992 as a development network of small-scale fisher folk organizations in Sri Lanka. Small scale fisher folk, one of the most socially and economically vulnerable groups, are engaged in fishing in shallow waters of the sea and also inland fishing areas, using very primitive fishing gear. Their average income is US $ 16 per month and according to the Ministry of Fisheries 62% of members of fishing community are living in below the poverty line (Provincial census 2008) The Federation represents these fisher folk, and is an approved charity and non-profit non-governmental organization, incorporated under regulations for the Monitoring of Receipts and Disbursement of Funds by NGOs. As an umbrella organization, the Federation conducts advocacy, economical, social and educational Environmental programmes to strengthen and empower the small fisher community in self-reliance. During last three years the Federation membership has been increased rapidly from 236 to 469 members’ organisations. A 12-member Board of Governors manages the Federation’s activities. They are elected by the general membership for a period of three years at its annual meeting. The Chief Executive of the Federation is the Chairman. By July 2009 The Federation represents 33 percent of the members of the fishing population in the country .Every member organization has its representative at the Federation's general assembly with equal voting power. Over the last few years the focus of the development strategy of the Federation shifted from social development to more economic development. The Federation aims to find a better equilibrium in those two development domains. Therefore, from January 2008 onward on equal attention had been given to social and economic development. This shift in focus also has consequences for the organizational structure of the Federation. The Federation consists of member village organizations at grassroots level, the social and economic resource centres at district level and the Federation’s headquarters at national level. (More...) |