Green Hand Phase 2.0 Brings Banana Fiber Livelihood Training to Mattakkuliya Community

The ZeroPlastic Movement’s Impact Avenue unit conducted Green Hand Phase 2.0, a community workshop held in Mattakkuliya. The project was designed for unemployed youth and housewives in the area, offering them practical training in producing eco-friendly products from banana fiber as a potential livelihood opportunity.

The workshop was organized with the aim of opening up income-generating possibilities for community members without steady employment. By focusing on banana fiber, a material locally available in the area, the project sought to equip participants with skills that could form the basis of a small business while also contributing to a reduction in plastic use within the community.

During the workshop, participants learned hands-on techniques for turning banana fiber into eco-friendly products. The sessions also included practical guidance on how to access markets for these products, with information on export opportunities. An officer from the Industrial Development Board (IDB) joined the workshop to explain the government grants and loan facilities available to individuals looking to start small businesses, giving participants a clearer picture of the support systems they could draw on.

The workshop brought together community members who had limited access to formal employment, providing them with both a new skill set and an understanding of how to turn that skill into a viable source of income. By combining product-making training with market guidance and information on financial support, the project addressed several practical barriers that often prevent people from starting small enterprises.

The value of Green Hand Phase 2.0 lay in its direct relevance to the daily realities of the Mattakkuliya community. Rather than focusing solely on environmental awareness, the project connected environmental responsibility with economic opportunity, presenting plastic-free production not just as an ecological choice but as a practical business path.

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