Grants for High School Students and Vocational Training in Myanmar for 2026–2027
Funds raised so far: 0%
This project funds study grants for young Burmese people whose schooling has been disrupted by the civil war, so they can take short, job-focused training courses. These help them gain skills that support their entry into work and their independence, despite the current crisis.
What is the situation in Myanmar?
In February 2021, the military seized power by force. This coup led to a civil war, as the population overwhelmingly opposed the new dictatorial regime. After five years of war, an estimated 3.5 million people have been displaced within the country. Fleeing the fighting, they seek refuge in displacement camps, or in villages and towns spared by the conflict. Nearly 1.5 million Burmese people have fled to neighbouring countries.
The consequences of this civil war and political crisis have been disastrous for the country. The coup triggered an unprecedented economic and social crisis, plunging 30% of the population into food insecurity and causing hardship of every kind in daily life: rising prices for raw materials and transport, power cuts, higher electricity tariffs, and more.
Why is support needed?
After five years of civil war and schooling repeatedly interrupted by fighting across much of the country, many young people have dropped out of the education system. Having sometimes fallen as much as three years behind, they now find themselves in classes whose level doesn’t match their age. For some, this means sitting their baccalaureate at over twenty years old — which, in the current climate of widespread impoverishment, is unsustainable for families.
Other young people have managed to finish high school but cannot afford to pursue long courses of study because of the political situation. They are nonetheless keen to enrol in short training courses that let them enter the job market quickly.
What is the proposed solution?
This project brings together three main initiatives, led by our local coordinators:
- 25 students from Kayah State, a region hit hard by the civil war, will study at two high-quality schools (PSIE and HEC). On completing these courses, the young people can work for NGOs or become teachers, among other paths.
- 9 students will follow various training courses in Yangon. Financial support will allow them to study English, IT, accounting, and education sciences.
Some students who are already sponsored will sit an internationally recognised exam that certifies a high school level and a good standard of English. This exam makes it possible to apply to study at a foreign university — as one of our sponsored children is about to do, having won a grant to study in the Philippines.
Who will benefit from this project?
The beneficiaries of this project are young people who have left high school, whether sponsored or not. They come from several regions of Myanmar and are motivated to pursue short, job-focused courses of study.
The selection criteria are:
- A course lasting less than one year
- A motivated young person with a credible plan on completing the training
- A good balance of cost, course length, and reputation
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