Strengthening Civil Society in Myanmar – Paung Ku

From 2012, Myanmar underwent a threefold transition to peace, democracy and a market economy. The military coup d’Etat in February 2021 brought this development to an abrupt end. The country is experiencing a deteriorating political, conflict and economic situation. This decline has led to increasing needs and numbers of vulnerable communities and households. At the same time, the willingness and ability of the State Administrative Council (SAC) to respond to these needs has decreased. Communities are relying less on public services, but rather turning inward and relying more on mutual support and self-reliance. 

In spite of multiple constraints imposed by the regime, CSOs have gained unprecedented value and relevance since the coup. CSOs perform a dual function: they both provide services to the population in the absence of functioning state institutions and continue to defend fundamental democratic rights and principles. However, they need continued flexible commitment from donors to assist communities and to promote non-violent political and social change. In Myanmar, Switzerland has been in the forefront of supporting civil society and brings comparative advantage from its leadership role in promoting the Localisation of Aid Agenda. 

500 local CSOs

This support will indirectly benefit to at least 1.2 million conflict-affected or vulnerable communities in both government-controlled and non-government controlled areas. The project will only support organisations that are clearly committed to non-violent civic engagement and strictly adhere to the UN/Swiss Principles of Engagement in Myanmar.

Outcome 1: Local CSOs are enabled to provide protection and basic services to vulnerable and conflict-affected communities.  

The civic space is preserved by strengthening a diverse ecosystem of Myanmar CSOs.

Principaux résultats attendus:  

1.1 CSOs are better organised and enabled to effectively manage their operations and resources; 1.2 CSOs are enabled to continue providing basic services; 1.3 CSOs increase their responsiveness to community needs arising from conflict and displacement and strengthen Community-Led Crisis Response Mechanisms.

2.1 Financial resources are provided to a diversity of Myanmar independent CSOs; 2.2: CSOs are equipped with the necessary technical skills, capacities and resources to operate in a closing civic space.

Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

As the main implementing partner of both previous phases, Paung Ku (PK) has, as a national CSO network, led efforts in countering hate speech and disinformation on the Rohingya crisis, and channelled vital support to communities during the Covid-19 pandemic. Before the coup, the main achievement was supporting transparent and inclusive general election in 2020 through meaningful participation of CSOs in the political process. 

Since the coup, the project was successfully reoriented and supported over 330 CSOs and networks to become more effective in supporting non-violent democratic mobilisation. It enabled to provide essential protection and legal assistance to exposed and vulnerable groups of people such as Human Rights Defenders, internally displaced people or former civil servants at risk, particularly in conflict-affected areas. Over 1.4 million people (48% women) in 162 townships received protection and basic services through supported CSOs in 2022. CSOs, including from Paung Ku’s network, have been contributing to provide evidence on Human Rights violations to the Independent Investigative Mechanism on Myanmar (IIMM). New initiatives such as Survivor and Community-Led Crisis Response and Safety and Security Support Initiative were launched in the conflict hotspots such as Magway and Sagaing. Furthermore, key independent media continued to produce quality information broadly accessible in Myanmar.