NSF initiative to build capacity of Filed Officers and Development Officers towards effective community-level monitoring and interventions

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Sri Lanka requires a well-managed community-level monitoring and intervention system to safeguard the socio-economic wellbeing of all communities. A Such system would optimize the effective utilization of the country's limited resources.

Accordingly, taking into consideration the importance of a Community-Based Monitoring and Intervention System (CBMIS)  for the country, the National Science Foundation (NSF) initiated a capacity building programme jointly with the Divisional Secretariat, Thimbirigasyaya aimed  the Field Officers and Development Officers as a pilot study. The Field Officers serve as one of the key government agents who directly engaging with communities to deliver various social support and welfare programs offered by the government. As such, the NSF organized a series of workshops to enhance their knowledge and skills, enabling them to provide more effective and efficient services that contribute to community development under this programme.

Understanding the significance of real-time data generated at the community level which reflects the effectiveness of those social support schemes offered by the government and enables evidence-based decision-making, the NSF aims to empower these Officers as proficient data collectors and analysts. In order to accomplish this objective, the NSF with the support of its Working Committee on Social Sciences (WCSS), organized a capacity-building workshop titled "Data Collection and Analysis for Social Work" on 18th December, 2024 for the Filed Officers and Development Officers attached to the said Divisional Secretariat which was held at the Computer Lab, Information Technology Resources Development Authority (ITDRA), Colombo 10.

During the Workshop, participants gained knowledge on systematic collection of data and hands-on experience in data analysis using the Microsoft Office package to create actionable reports. Approximately forty-five participants benefited from this training.

Dr. Shantha Siri, Additional Director of the NSF and Prof. Siri Hettige former Chairman of the WCSS addressed the gathering emphasizing the importance of the initiative. The Workshop was facilitated by Ms. Dileepa Endagamage, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Decision Sciences at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and Mr. Viduth Mendis, Deputy Director of ITDRA, who provided expert guidance throughout the sessions. It is envisaged that this capacity building will enable evidence based  community-level monitoring and effective interventions by Filed Officers and Development Officers ultimately contributing to the national development. This workshop was organized by the Science and Technology Policy Research Division, NSF under the guidance of NSF Director General Dr Sepalika Sudasinghe.