Despite a promising opening of public discourse at the beginning of Myanmar’s democratic transition in 2010, fundamental rights, freedom of expression and space for civil society in Myanmar are again increasingly curtailed.

Economic growth has not been inclusive with large differences between urban centres and the rest of the country, in particular in areas with large proportions of ethnic or religious minorities. Their traditional arts and crafts are falling behind due to limited modernisation or adaptation to contemporary consumer tastes, or lack of access to markets with the skills of artisans at risk of being lost and overtaken by industrial production of inferior quality. Sites of natural or cultural heritage are under threat from exploitation driven by rapid globalisation or big investment projects.

The 2020 Covid-19 pandemic has further increased pressure on civic liberties and freedom of expression, while the sudden economic down-turn will result in further strain on natural resources and on the livelihoods of marginalised groups, including artists, artisans, people with disabilities, and others across Myanmar.

Outcome 1: Artisans and artists improve their livelihoods, contribute to the protection and promotion of their artistic, cultural or natural heritage.

Outcome 2: Cultural activities and artistic expressions raise awareness on issues relevant to the people of Myanmar, with particular regard for social inclusion, climate change, dealing with the past, and human rights.

Outcome 3: Independent artists from across ethnic and socio-economic groups and geographic areas freely express and create their art and culture.

Principaux résultats attendus:  

-    Young people and adults can pursue professional vocations, training for decent jobs, and enhancing innovation and entrepreneurship in the cultural and creative sectors;

-    Support to projects with outputs related to issues of (i) social exclusion, (ii) climate change, (iii) dealing with the past, and (iv) human rights; 

-    Actors engaged in cultural, social, or artistic expression have strengthened personal, institutional, technical or organisational capacity to implement small projects aimed at domestic, regional, or international audiences.

Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

-    Revision and modernisation of the curriculum for traditional weavers in Myanmar to align traditional crafts with contemporary market demands;

-    Artisanal skills developed through trainings associated with the restoration of heritage buildings in Yangon;

-    A support to Myanmar authorities contributed to strengthening their institutional capacity within the context of Bagan’s UNESCO World Heritage nomination in 2019; 

-    Support to the Myanmar Script Fund 2017 and 2018 has allowed a meaningful complementary intitiative to SDC’s Knowledge, Learning & Culture Division. Aspiring Myanmar film makers were able to participate in the Open Door Lab of the Locarno Film Festival and other film festivals and win a number of nominations and awards for their projects;

Past Small Actions to culture sector were mostly ad hoc initiatives with limited sustainability or benefit to Swiss visibilty.

Phase 1 01.01.2020 - 31.12.2023   (Completed)