'Hyacinthesis' Accelerator launches to convert Water Hyacinth into livelihood opportunities

• Water hyacinth flagged as a major contributor to SL’s reduced biodiversity and declining water quality, with long-term economic consequences for agriculture and fisheries.

• Growing global demand for sustainable homeware/ natural fibre products, projected to exceed USD 60 billion by 2030.

• Premium buyers currently retailing water hyacinth baskets and furnishings at prices ranging from USD 20 to 80 per unit

The Foundation For A Good Life (Guarantee) Limited (TFGL), in partnership with Good Life X (GLX), recently launched the ‘Hyacinthesis’ Accelerator — an eight-month, market-driven programme designed to transform Sri Lanka’s growing water hyacinth problem into a source of sustainable livelihoods and circular innovation. Supported by Scott Dunn, The Conservation Collective and the Lanka Environment Fund (LEF), the programme responds to the widespread impact of water hyacinth on Sri Lanka’s waterways, where the invasive plant disrupts irrigation, fishing and water quality. The accelerator will work with enterprises and artisan communities across Sri Lanka in 2026 to develop market-ready products using water hyacinth, pairing material innovation with structured business, design and market support.

The Hyacinthesis Accelerator addresses this challenge by repositioning water hyacinth as a valuable regenerative raw material. The programme will identify, enable and scale six enterprises working with the material. The first cohort focuses on craft and homeware as the lowest-risk entry point, while laying the foundation for future applications in paper, packaging, fertiliser and biochar. The program was informed by a scoping study conducted by the project teams, which assessed environmental impacts and market opportunities for water hyacinth based products. 

Speaking with Lonali Rodrigo, Program Lead - The Foundation For A Good Life (Guarantee) Limited stated: “Each selected enterprise will receive a tailored business and design roadmap, hands-on mentorship, technical and design support, and milestone-based seed financing tied to performance. Finished products will be channelled into the local market through committed retail partners, reinforcing the programme’s market-first approach.“

Applications are now open for individuals, enterprises and community producers working with water hyacinth to apply before 28 February. Participants will work closely with designers, technical experts and buyers to develop high-quality products that meet real market demand.

Designed not only to create products but to build a regenerative value chain, the Hyacinthesis Accelerator demonstrates how Sri Lanka can turn an environmental challenge into an engine for innovation, livelihoods and long-term resilience.

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Captions

1. Turning SL’s growing water hyacinth problem into a source of sustainable livelihoods and circular innovation

2. SL’s abundance of water hyacinth. 

3. Repositioning water hyacinth as a valuable regenerative raw material.

About GLX

Good Life X (GLX) designs regenerative solutions for South Asia's transition from extractive to regenerative economies. Since 2018, the organisation has partnered with over 200 businesses across multiple sectors to create strategies where profit and purpose aren't trade-offs. Through programmes, frameworks, and cross-sector collaboration, GLX guides businesses to operate in ways that restore rather than extract