Since its formation in April 2011, the Government of Myanmar has instigated significant reforms, including steps toward decentralisation, economic liberalization, and greater public consultation and participation. Given the wide ranging nature of the transition and the lack of experience as well as capacity to design and implement reforms, results have been mixed with the risk of a widening gap between public expectations and what the government can realistically deliver. Now that the NLD has won a landslide victory in the 2015 elections and new reform-minded governments on Union and State/Region levels will be formed, there is a unique opportunity to address the significant obstacles still facing Myanmar’s long-term democratic transition, in particular uneven national and subnational governance capacity and a tenuous peace process.

The project’s overall goal is to contribute to building and sustaining momentum for Myanmar’s reform process at the heart of the democratic transition.

Direct beneficiaries of Component 1 will be primarily 4-6 State/Region governments and parliaments and 10-12 municipal offices (called Development Affairs Organisations) in those States/Regions. Those will include Mon and Kayin states, which are areas of concentration of the Swiss Cooperation Strategy. The Program will also target civil society organisations and the media in those areas. A particular focus is laid on the role of women. Indirect beneficiaries will be citizens and businesses of those States/Regions and municipalities.

Outcome 1: Subnational Governance
Strengthened State/Region governments and Development Affairs Offices (DAO) with improved policy formulation and implementation, enhanced public financial management (PFM) systems and institutions, and greater social accountability.

Principaux résultats attendus:  

1. Improved awareness and capacity in public financial management (PFM) of states/regions and DAOs.
2. Improved capacity in policy development and implementation in states/regions and DAOs.
3. Mechanisms for horizontal learning for Development Affairs Organisations within and between different states and regions.
4. Improved capacity of CSOs to engage with DAOs and S/R government on PFM issues and other reform areas.

Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

No previous phase.

The program will complement the World Bank’s project on improved public financial management at Union level, by focussing on the subnational level.
DfID and DFAT are the two other donors to the MSSP project and important players in the governance domain.

Phase 1 01.05.2016 - 30.04.2019   (Completed)