FRIENDS started Gender Equity & Empowerment Project in Naula Divisional Secretariat in Matale District in 2014. This project supports poor and vulnerable women to start their own income generating activities. The whole expectation of the project is to empower women economically to improve their living standards.

The Livelihood Facilitation Center “Samadhi” was opened at Naula town to facilitate women’s livelihood needs like marketing products, purchasing raw materials at reasonable price, getting business information and coordinating with other service providers. This center is owned & operated by a group of project women.

The Women Development Officer of the division and several other government officers along with FRIENDS staff participated in the opening ceremony held on 02nd July 2015.