International non-governmental organizations (INGOs) in Sri Lanka - A study about social capital and trust between the two ethnic groups, Tamil and Sinhala in Sri Lanka

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine how INGOs in Sri Lanka work to increase social capital and trust between the two ethnic groups, the Tamils and Sinhala. The study is qualitative, and the empirical material was collected through semi-structured interviews. Representatives from seven INGOs and one professor from Sri Lanka were interviewed. The INGOs worked in many different ways to increase social capital and trust. They used many different working methods, depending on which strategy they had chosen. Distinct strategies were, e.g., empowerment, participation and avoiding project names such as peace building. Different methods were, e.g., community projects, work at micro, meso and macro levels and the use of volunteers as ambassadors. For the INGOs in Sri Lanka to be able to work as effectively as possible towards increasing social capital, trust and sustainable peace, it is important that the methods follow the strategies used. At the same time, they must consider the difficulties inherent to minimizing their own influence. There were difficulties for INGOs in working with and applying their strategies and methods. There was an apparent connection between their methods and strategies, which showed that the interviewed INGOs worked in a carefully prepared way.