IPS Hosts the 49th SANDEE Research and Training (RnT) Workshop in Negombo

The Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) served as the local host for the 49th SANDEE Research and Training (RnT) Workshop recently. This important regional event brought together over 45 researchers and mentors from across South Asia and beyond, providing a platform for academic exchange, mentoring, and collaboration on key environmental and development challenges.
The workshop featured the presentation and discussion of 24 ongoing and new research projects on themes including the economics of climate change, biodiversity, gender, energy, water, agriculture, pastoralism, disasters and recovery, and loss and damage (L&D). Researchers received detailed feedback from expert mentors and peers to further strengthen the policy relevance and analytical rigour of their work.

Key highlights included:

• The K-G Maler Memorial Lecture delivered by Professor Erin Sills of North Carolina State University
• Meetings of the SANDEE Steering Committee and Advisors
• One-on-one mentoring sessions to support capacity building for early and mid-career researchers
• Networking dinner

As the local host, IPS provided institutional and logistical support to ensure the smooth execution of the workshop. This collaboration reflects IPS’s ongoing commitment to supporting high-quality, policy-relevant environmental research and promoting regional partnerships through initiatives such as SANDEE, a programme of ICIMOD.

The Review of Economics of Forest Restoration Research in Sri Lanka was also held as part of the workshop, to discuss progress and future directions of a multi-country forest restoration study.

The Sri Lankan component of this project is led by IPS researchers Dr. Erandathie Pathiraja, Nishamini Ihalagedara, and Sulochana Silva, with Dr. Pathiraja serving as the lead researcher for Sri Lanka. IPS collaborates with the Department of Forests, Sri Lanka.

This study is being conducted across four South Asian countries—Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—and aims to evaluate forest restoration as both a nature-based climate solution and a means to improve rural livelihoods.

During the review, the Sri Lankan team concentrated on:

• Refining research outputs and formulating key policy messages
• Identifying evidence gaps and implementation challenges
• Collaborating on future directions for effective and inclusive forest restoration initiatives

The discussions highlighted the critical need to balance reforestation objectives with the livelihood needs of local communities and emphasised the importance of tailored, country-specific policy interventions. The study is funded by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the International Development and Research Centre (IDRC).

Dr. Mani Nepal, Lead Economist and Senior Programme Coordinator, SANDEE, ICIMOD, Dr. Wathsala Gunawardena, Assistant Professor at Yokohama National University, Dr. François Libois, Professor, Paris School of Economics and Dr. Jeffrey Vincent, Professor, Duke University, joined the review.