About the IGnite Project
Inclusive Green Education for Bridging the Gaps in Higher Education and Career Development
Why IGnite?
countries most impacted by extreme weather events
people in areas projected to become climate hotspots by 2050
of Sri Lanka's population at moderate or severe climate risk
of A/L-eligible youth without a university placement
Sri Lanka being located at the heart of the Indian Ocean has high vulnerability to hydrometeorological hazards that proved by the severe impact of Cyclone Ditwa during late 2025. The island ranks 23rd out of 180 countries for the most impacted by extreme weather events, with over 19 million people — more than 90% of the population — living in areas projected to become moderate or severe climate hotspots by 2050. The need for climate smart planning and resilient mechanisms has high priority among government and non-government sector institutes working towards making communities resilient.
Another key area that lacks such decision making is land use policy planning and regional development, essential parts in making communities resilient. However, expertise on spatial planning is limited to a few target groups trained by few programmes offered by limited universities in Sri Lanka, creating high unmet demand.
At the same time, the country's higher education system leaves over 30% of A/L-qualified youth without a university placement. As the number one ranked university in Sri Lanka, University of Colombo plans to offer eligible youth training in climate resilience and regional planning. The IGnite project responds to these converging crises with a single, integrated solution — an accessible, high-quality, online degree programme that trains Sri Lanka's next generation of sustainable development professionals.
What We Set Out to Achieve
Sustainable Regional Planning & Climate Change Resilience
Sri Lanka ranks 23rd out of 180 countries most impacted by extreme weather events. Rapid urbanisation and habitat destruction compound this challenge, while over 90% of the population is projected to live in climate hotspot areas by 2050. A specialised academic programme addressing these challenges has never been more urgent.
Addressing the Demand for Inclusive Education
Despite over 60% of students qualifying for university admission after A/L examinations, less than 30% progress to government Higher Education Institutions. This gap demands accessible alternative pathways catering to students across regions and native languages — aligned with the World Bank's vision of inclusive education for all learners.
Addressing the Issue of Brain Drain
In 2023 alone, over 30,000 students sought foreign degrees abroad — nearly double the number from a decade prior. A significant proportion intend to remain overseas after graduating, weakening Sri Lanka's capacity to address its own development and sustainability commitments.
Measuring Our Impact
Create a pathway towards higher education for youth
Promote regional inclusive access through digital learning
Enhance knowledge on sustainable planning & climate resilience
Build industry partnerships to empower students
Sustainable Regional Planning
and Climate Resilience
The first degree in Sri Lanka to combine sustainable regional planning and climate resilience into a single, multidisciplinary programme. Delivered fully online through the University of Colombo's Distance Learning Centre, drawing on expertise from all five consortium partners.
Socio-ecology, climate justice & civic engagement
Advanced regional planning & environmental governance
Spatial science — GIS & remote sensing
Climate change mitigation & disaster resilience
Environmental accounting & policy
Green City planning & sustainable infrastructure
Aligned with Sri Lanka's Sustainable Sri Lanka 2030 Vision and contributing directly to UN Sustainable Development Goals 4, 8, 11, and 13.
Contributing to the Global Goals
IGnite is designed around Sri Lanka's commitments to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Quality Education
Equitable access to higher education for marginalised youth
Decent Work & Economic Growth
Preparing graduates for careers in the green economy
Sustainable Cities & Communities
Training in urban and rural planning and environmental governance
Climate Action
Developing expertise in mitigation and adaptation strategies
The programme also addresses SDG 1 — No Poverty, SDG 2 — Zero Hunger, SDG 3 — Good Health & Well-being, SDG 5 — Gender Equality through its interdisciplinary curriculum and gender-sensitive planning modules.
How the Programme is Built
INREO
The IGnite programme is developed through an iterative, needs-responsive process that ensures curriculum design is continuously informed by national policy, partner expertise, and direct stakeholder consultation.
Industry Orientation
Modules are co-designed with public sector agencies, private organisations, and civil society partners. Students engage with live industry briefs, field consultancies, and policy papers addressing real challenges across Sri Lanka.
Interdisciplinary Orientation
The programme bridges environmental science, spatial planning, governance, economics, and social development — equipping graduates to work across sectoral boundaries and lead integrated sustainability responses.