In line with LIFT’s ‘Stepping Out’ strategy, where people are supported to move away from poorly paid and erratic work in marginalised farming, LIFT is supporting the Entrepreneurship Development Network Asia (EDNA) to promote and develop entrepreneurship in Myanmar.
EDNA currently works across Asia to link budding entrepreneurs with education and research to help them improve their businesses, and to put them in touch with local business and financial institutions. Eyeing the opportunities presented by recent reforms in Myanmar, EDNA arrived in 2013 and, with funding from LIFT, offers a six month training programme to develop the knowledge and capacity of local entrepreneurs.
Much of the recruitment takes place by word of mouth through EDNA’s community networking efforts with ministers, NGOs, community based organisations, universities and business organisations. Ward administration offices also help by placing advertisements that target men and women from the ages of 18-45.
Given that half of the trainees already run their own businesses – such as village shops and handicrafts - and the other half are attempting to set up a business, the training is tailored to develop their ventures. Grass-roots entrepreneurs are taught to look through a business lens. Mentors are allocated to teach skills.
Participant Daw Aye Sandar says that the course helped her greatly. “I have worked for six years now so this entrepreneurship course is five years too late! If I had been exposed to the knowledge earlier, my business would be running much better today.”
Another participant, Ko Phyo Wai Aung, says, “I enjoyed the strategy component of how to build an enterprise. I learnt the importance of differentiating your business and product - be it through design, quality or service. The training has also provided me with skills to manage the financial side of my eco bag making business.”
The training programme also offers networking opportunities - particularly at Enterprise Development Day events - where participants are encouraged to share experiences and learn from larger businesses. At these events, participants have their eyes opened to new markets and business opportunities, and can develop a new level of ambition.
“After training, my students are more vocal, more confident. We see that the businesses have evolved and there is potential for higher income, sometimes 30 USD a day more,” senior mentor Ko Soe Min Thant explains.
“One of my students had a small pig farm. After group discussion, when other participants gave him feedback and helped him to refine his business plan, he thought about other uses for his land, and began to grow bananas. He started to think like a business man, where he could use the banana scraps for pig food and sell the crops for extra income.”
Developing the capacity of mentors is a key element of the programme, according to Daw Kyi Kyi, EDNA Myanmar’s founder. Their personal growth allows them to become the catalyst for growth for many of the trainees.
“As teachers, they engage in an interactive education experience. It’s good for them, and also the participants. All of them gain skills and knowledge that are practical and easy to apply to their own businesses, “ she says.
Looking ahead, EDNA is investigating the potential to charge a minimal cost for the training to ensure it can continue after LIFT funding draws to a close. Find out more about EDNA's participants and mentors from recent interviews.
