Pro-poor sustainable development at the grassroots level

Our Grassroots Development Programme aims to improve environmental governance, protect and promote human rights- particularly child rights, develop livelihood opportunities and build capacity of local organisations and communities across the country.

A total of 198 projects have been funded under the Grassroots Development Programme since 2003 with a specific focus on the environment, care for children and the disabled, education, income generation, disaster relief, health, and the provision of basic infrastructure- such as water and sanitation. Communities in Ayeyarwaddy, Bago, Magwe, Sagaing, Rangoon and Mandalay divisions and Chin, Kachin, Shan, Kayin, Mon, and Rakhine States have benefited from project delivery.

GDP Guideline

Support to communities affected by Cyclone Nargis

The Embassy funds allocated to the Cyclone Nargis Emergency Relief Programme in 2008-09 enabled communities affected by Cyclone Nargis the ability to meet their immediate rehabilitation needs and develop longer-term solutions to rebuild their lives. Working in partnership with local community-based organisations (CBOs) the Embassy supported 39 projects in the cyclone affected areas of the Delta. The energy and commitment of CBOs coupled with the spirit of volunteerism from local communities’ saw the delivery of much needed aid and livelihoods rehabilitation projects in vulnerable communities’ in the Delta.

Are you interested in bidding for Embassy funding?

The British Embassy in Rangoon welcomes requests for funding from all interested organisations. Project budgets should be for a single year over the period April 2009 to March 2010, – we are unable to fund multiple year projects. Proposals should fall within the range of US$1,000-$20,000. Projects that support military, religious and construction activities, capital costs or salaries are not eligible for funding.
How to apply:
A project bidding form and guidance to complete is available on the British Embassy web site. Prospective implementers are asked to complete Section A of the concept part bidding form only, and return to GDP.Rangoon@fco.gov.uk

English learning opportunities

The Embassy and the British Council have helped establish 20 Self-Access English Learning Millennium Centres across Burma. They provide materials that are not otherwise accessible to students, teachers, tour guides, and the general public, enhancing job prospects and access to further education.

The main purpose of the Millennium Centres is to provide free access to English language training materials and public diplomacy materials through regional centres across the country. They are open to all members of the community regardless of ethnicity, religion, or age. Each centre is based at a 'host organisation' (church, monastery, language school, YMCA), which provides space for the Millennium Centres to operate and the opportunity for people to develop their English language skills.

The Millennium Centre network was first established in 2000. Since then we have steadily increased the number of centres. There are now 20 centres with more than 12,000 people regularly using the centres. The most popular centre is in Mandalay, which alone has more than 7,000 regular users.

A valuable aspect of the Millennium Centre concept is that the centres belong to the local community. They are managed and run by a Committee of volunteers who are always available at the Centre to help and guide new users.

The Millennium Centre network has provided opportunities for a broad range of communities across the country to access English Language Teaching materials and other sources of information.

Chevening Fellowships programme

Chevening Fellowships are a key component of the UK's Chevening programme. The Fellowship programme aims to provide Fellows with a positive, customer-focused experience of the UK and a relevant professional development opportunity. This is achieved through a 12 week subject-immersion course, which offers a challenging programme of academic, practical, and policy exposure. The awards are fully funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) of the United Kingdom
Chevening Fellowships programme 2010-2011 application forms - If you are interested in finding out more about the Chevening Fellowship programme please go to the website: www.chevening.com or contact the embassy: press.officer@fco.gov.uk