This evaluation is presented as part of the Effectiveness Review Series 2015/16, randomly selected for review under the governance thematic area. This report documents the findings of a qualitative impact evaluation, carried out in March 2016. The evaluation used PIALA (Participatory Impact Assessment and Learning Approach) to assess the effectiveness of the 'Building equitable and resilient livelihoods in the Dry Zone' in Myanmar.

The project aimed to build strong and viable Membership Organisations (MOs) capable of organising community members, lobbying township departments and parliament, establishing business relationships with traders and suppliers, and developing civil society networks with local NGOs and MOs of other villages, in order to create sustainable livelihood opportunities and build resilience against climate-related hazards (e.g. drought and flooding). The underlying assumption was that, by building the capacity of these MOs, behavioural changes would be triggered in a set of key stakeholder relationships and mechanisms that would result in more sustainable livelihood opportunities and conditions. Successful MOs would then inspire and influence other communities to also develop MOs and motivate local governments to support them. The project was coordinated by Oxfam and implemented from May 2011 until end of May 2014 by the Network Activities Group (NAG) in Minbu and Oxfam in Thazi.

Read more about Oxfam's Effectiveness Reviews.