Deadline: 07-Jul-2026
The ENCORE project in Taunggyi, Shan State, Myanmar invites Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to implement community recovery and resilience activities through Cash for Work (CfW) and women-led Start-up Livelihood Assistance (SLAW) programs. It aims to support vulnerable households with income opportunities, infrastructure rehabilitation, and sustainable livelihood development. The initiative focuses on inclusive, community-driven recovery with strong emphasis on gender equality, conflict sensitivity, and local ownership.
Overview of the ENCORE Community Recovery and Resilience Project
The Enabling Community Recovery and Resilience (ENCORE) project supports vulnerable communities in Myanmar to transition from crisis response to long-term recovery. It works through community-driven development approaches that strengthen livelihoods, infrastructure, governance, and social cohesion.
The project focuses on:
- Community recovery and resilience building
- Income generation for vulnerable households
- Rehabilitation of basic community infrastructure
- Livelihood restoration and diversification
- Community capacity building and mobilization
- Social cohesion and peacebuilding
- Inclusive and participatory planning processes
- Gender-responsive and conflict-sensitive programming
- Improved local governance and service delivery
- Women-led livelihood development
- Sustainability and community ownership
Geographic and Implementation Scope
The programme is implemented in vulnerable rural communities in Taunggyi Township, Shan State, Myanmar.
Key implementation scope:
- 20 Cash for Work (CfW) activities
- 15 targeted villages
- Formation of at least 20 women-led SLAW groups
- Community-level livelihood and infrastructure interventions
Programme Components
Cash for Work (CfW)
The CfW component provides short-term employment and income support while improving community infrastructure.
Activities include:
- Rehabilitation of footpaths and access roads
- Drainage system improvement
- Sanitation infrastructure upgrades
- Waste management systems
- Rehabilitation of communal facilities
- Environmental conservation activities
Purpose:
- Provide immediate income to vulnerable households
- Improve essential community assets
- Strengthen local resilience and recovery
Start-up Livelihood Assistance for Women (SLAW)
The SLAW component supports women-led livelihood development through group-based economic activities.
Key features:
- Formation of 6–10 member women’s livelihood groups per village
- Financial support of $200 per member
- Focus on vulnerable households
- Skills-based and market-driven livelihood planning
Possible livelihood activities include:
- Livestock rearing
- Sewing and tailoring
- Cottage industries
- Crop value addition
- Mushroom cultivation
- Agroforestry activities
- Small agriculture-based enterprises
Funding Structure
The programme provides direct financial support for both infrastructure and livelihood activities.
Funding details:
- $5,000 per selected Phase 2 village for Cash for Work
- $200 per member for SLAW group participants
- Support linked to implementation of approved community activities
Funding purpose:
- Short-term income generation
- Community infrastructure rehabilitation
- Women-led livelihood establishment
- Local economic strengthening
Role of Implementing Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
Selected CSOs play a central role in implementing and coordinating project activities.
Key responsibilities include:
- Community consultations and mobilization
- Identification of vulnerable beneficiaries
- Planning and implementation of CfW activities
- Formation and support of women-led SLAW groups
- Technical assistance and mentorship
- Market linkage facilitation
- Coordination with ENCORE project teams
- Monitoring, reporting, and accountability
Required Approach and Principles
The project follows a strong community-driven development model.
Core principles include:
- Community ownership and participation
- Transparency and accountability
- Gender equality and women’s empowerment
- Conflict-sensitive programming
- Inclusion of vulnerable groups
- Sustainability of interventions
- Participatory decision-making
Capacity Building and Skills Development
The programme also strengthens community and institutional capacities.
Skills developed include:
- Leadership and governance skills
- Community facilitation and mobilization
- Negotiation and conflict resolution
- Participatory planning and decision-making
- Financial and livelihood management skills
- Problem-solving and coordination abilities
Eligibility Criteria for CSOs
Eligible organizations must demonstrate strong implementation capacity.
Required qualifications:
- Experience in livelihood and community development
- Knowledge of participatory rural approaches
- Proven field implementation experience
- Preferably experience with UN or INGO-funded projects
- Capacity in project management and reporting
Required team expertise:
- Project management professionals
- Livelihood and agriculture specialists
- Community facilitators
- Finance and administration staff
- Monitoring and reporting experts
Project Management and Coordination
The selected CSO will operate under structured oversight.
Coordination framework:
- Supervision by ENCORE Project Manager
- Regular coordination with project teams
- Monitoring and evaluation support
- Reporting on progress and outcomes
- Compliance with project objectives and standards
Why the ENCORE Project Matters
The initiative plays a key role in stabilizing vulnerable communities in Myanmar.
Key importance includes:
- Supporting recovery from economic and social crises
- Providing immediate and sustainable livelihood support
- Strengthening women’s economic empowerment
- Improving local infrastructure and living conditions
- Enhancing community resilience and cohesion
- Promoting inclusive and participatory governance
How the Programme Works / Implementation Flow
The project follows a structured community-led implementation model.
Step-by-step process:
- Selection of qualified CSOs
- Community consultations in target villages
- Identification of vulnerable households
- Design of Cash for Work and SLAW activities
- Implementation of infrastructure and livelihood interventions
- Formation of women-led livelihood groups
- Monitoring and technical support
- Reporting and evaluation of outcomes
Common Mistakes to Avoid
CSOs should avoid:
- Weak community participation processes
- Poor targeting of vulnerable households
- Lack of gender-sensitive programming
- Insufficient livelihood sustainability planning
- Weak coordination with ENCORE project teams
- Inadequate monitoring and reporting systems
Tips for a Strong Application
To improve selection chances:
- Demonstrate strong field-level implementation experience
- Highlight success in livelihood or resilience projects
- Show expertise in participatory community approaches
- Include clear gender and inclusion strategies
- Provide strong financial and operational management capacity
- Emphasize experience in conflict-sensitive environments
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the ENCORE project?
- A community recovery and resilience initiative supporting vulnerable villages in Myanmar
What are the main components?
- Cash for Work (CfW) and Start-up Livelihood Assistance for Women (SLAW)
Who can apply?
- Qualified Civil Society Organizations with relevant field experience
What is the funding structure?
- $5,000 per village for CfW and $200 per SLAW participant
How many villages are involved?
- 15 villages with 20 CfW activities and 20 women-led groups
What is the main goal?
- To support recovery, livelihoods, and community resilience
Is gender inclusion a priority?
- Yes, women’s empowerment is a central component
Conclusion
The ENCORE project in Myanmar is a community-driven recovery initiative that combines infrastructure rehabilitation with livelihood support to strengthen resilience in vulnerable communities. Through Cash for Work and women-led livelihood groups, it promotes economic stability, social inclusion, and long-term community development in Taunggyi, Shan State.
For more information, visit UNDP.