“Lilan Dayananda is a globally recognized social-tech entrepreneur and the Co-Founder and CEO of Elzian Agro. Renowned for his impactful contributions to sustainable development and climate action, he was named one of the top ten Social Entrepreneurs of the Global South by the UN Youth Envoy, UNFPA, ITU, and UNDP. He earned a place on Forbes Asia’s “”30 Under 30″” list in the social impact category.
Lilan was the only Sri Lankan to win the 2022 Commonwealth Youth Award for Excellence in Development Work and was nominated for the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust Youth Award. In 2023, he was recognized among the top 100 meaningful business founders by EY, Hogan Lovells, and Babson College. In 2024, he received the Social Entrepreneur of the Year award at the New Generation Awards, the Climate Action Leadership Award from the Global Climate Action Partnership, and led Elzian Agro to win the Best Brand Leadership Award and Best Employer Brand Award.
As the technology partner of the International Analog Forestry Network, Lilan supports over 100,000 farmers in 20+ countries. He is an accredited member of the UNFCCC’s Technology Executive Committee and has held key youth leadership roles within UNEP and UNEA-6.
Beyond entrepreneurship, Lilan mentors with the Resolution Project and supports youth in Central and Eastern Europe through CCG. He also serves as an ambassador and climate advocate for several global organizations including WYCJ, GYCN, Connect4Climate, Island Innovation, and Blue Planet Alliance. His work continues to drive systemic change and empower communities worldwide.”
Collaborate with residents, advocates, and policymakers driving justice.
Since 2011, CEEJH has partnered with frontline and fenceline communities to address environmental, climate, and energy injustices through grassroots action and policy co-creation. We center those most impacted by harm to lead action and social change.
