Program Development Workshop Conducted in Myanmar

Project HOPE, in collaboration with Capacity Building Initiative (CBI) of Myanmar, organized a one week workshop on Proposal Development in Yangon from July 8-12. Thirty eight participants from 23 civil society organizations (CSO) participated in this workshop. The participants were selected from more than 50 applicants considering their roles in program development and proposal writing in their respective organizations. Project HOPE’s Vice President for Business Development, Abul Hashem, and Senior Vice President, Stuart Myers, presented the workshop. While the workshop participation was free, the participants paid for their own transportation, lodging and per diem.

Myanmar is going through a political transition. With sanctions recently lifted by western countries, many western donors are coming back to the country to help support the development of Myanmar.Many local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are also coming forward to participate in the country’s development and seeking support from foreign donors. But many of these organizations lack the basic skills of program planning, proposal development and program management.

Project HOPE’s first workshop in partnership with CBI focused on program planning and proposal writing. Future workshops are planned on capacity building for health organizations including program management, monitoring and evaluation and organizational and leadership development.

Project HOPE also plans to support the local organizations with specialized technical assistance to develop high quality sustainable health programs through building public-private partnerships. We will also assist the CSOs in locating resources for their activities through establishing intersections of interest with potential donors.

To manage these activities Project HOPE is in the process of applying for registration and setting up an office in Yangon.