Overview
Myanmar, located in Southeast Asia, is home to almost 55 million people. It is a nation with a significant portion of the population living in rural areas, contributing to its strong agricultural traditions. Remarkably, about 27% of Myanmar's population is under the age of 30.
The country has navigated complex political transitions in recent years, laying the groundwork for democratic governance and setting the stage for rapid socio-economic development. However, the coup d'état in February 2021 marked a significant setback, abruptly halting progress and leading to a severe deterioration in the socio-economic conditions within the country.
Our partnership
In response to the military coup on 1 February 2021, and aligning with the Council Conclusions from February 2021, the EU does not acknowledge the legitimacy of the military junta, as embodied by the State Administration Council. Consequently, there is no formal partnership between the EU and the de facto authorities in Myanmar.
Following this stance, in 2021, the EU suspended all activities that might be perceived as supporting or legitimising the military authorities. After a careful review of the development assistance portfolio, the EU, in consultation with its Member States, adopted a 'back to basics' approach. This approach is dedicated to supporting the most vulnerable communities in Myanmar by collaborating directly with civil society actors, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and international organisations.
Under four separate special measures between 2021 and 2024 a total of €219 million was allocated to support the people of Myanmar. Further funding of €99 million for the period 2025-2027 is being financed under the Regional Multiannual Indicative Programme for Asia and the Pacific.
Our key initiatives
The EU remains a leader among Development Partners, demonstrating a strong commitment to the country's development despite ongoing crises. EU assistance in Myanmar is strategically organised around three main sectoral priority areas: (1) Peace and Governance, (2) Education, and Human Development, (3) Sustainable Livelihoods and Green Growth.
Under the first priority area, the EU together with its partners on the ground use complementary approaches to support peace, strengthen good governance and implement the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) nexus.
For Education and Human Development , the EU through its networks has been focusing on ensuring access to quality, safe and equitable education, as well as access for youth vocational training and skills development, as well as scholarships for Myanmar students.
In the area of Sustainable Livelihoods and Green Growth, the EU’s work in collaboration with trusted partners, ranges from improving agriculture to growing small and medium enterprises, promoting responsible businesses linked to exports,, supporting economic development, tackling the challenges of climate change adaptation and access to green energy sources.
Although there are no Team Europe Initiative as such, the EU and its Member States adopt a collaborative Team Europe approach to development and humanitarian efforts in Myanmar, aiming to enhance the impact and effectiveness of their actions. EU Member States actively involved in implementing projects in Myanmar include Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Sweden.