The government signed a grant agreement with the European Union (EU) today (23) to launch a new initiative aimed at fostering sustainable economic recovery through improved biodiversity conservation and solid waste management. The EUR 8 million grant, provided by the European Union, will support a project jointly developed by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, the Ministry of Environment, and the EU. The initiative will support biodiversity conservation by restoring degraded ecosystems, implementing targeted conservation strategies, and promoting sustainable land-use practices. The grant agreement was formally signed today by Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, on behalf of the government and Carmen Moreno, Ambassador of the European Union to Sri Lanka, on behalf of the EU. EU experience, technology and private sector investments are key elements in the project that will support Sri Lankan policies to connect to the world.