1. Project: 11896 Women Socio-Economic Reconstruction Project#2. Project area and Country: Kayin State, Myanmar #3. Project justification: #The conflict in Kayin State led to the disappearance of a well-developed private sector. Despite a certain degree of
political stability during the last five years, the socio-economic situation of the Karen population has not yet significantly improved. #Overall, the role of the private sector in providing sustainable means for the peace economy has not been sufficiently explored. Most of the communities engage in the production of predominantly agricultural raw materials with limited value-added. Market mechanisms are poorly developed and market infrastructure is unavailable. Given the lack of local and international market access, promising industries including e.g., bamboo-based products, are not being developed. The limited employment opportunities in the non-agricultural sector impede womens changes of economic advancement and there are currently no initiatives specifically addressing women entrepreneurs support needs. The organization of farmers into cooperative-like structures is also rare. #4. The main objective and the expected results:#The Women Socio-Economic Reconstruction Project will promote womens empowerment and inclusive economic participation in the conflict-affected areas in Kayin (Karen) State in the South-East of Myanmar. The project will empower female entrepreneurs through technical and financial support and provide viable small enterprise and business development models. The targeted women will be supported in establishing and running of IGAs, they will participate in vocational/skills trainings in rural entrepreneurship and will improve their access to customized microfinance services and productive assets. At the core of the project are the Women Empowerment Committees (WECs).#5. Right-holders/ benefic#Duty bearers: Karen National Union, Kayin Sate Government, Women Association, Relevant Union and State/Region level Government departments and committees#6. Implementing partner: Kaw Lah Foundation (KLF)