Gulf of Mottama Project (GoMP)

Project completed

One of the greatest challenges in the current reform process in Myanmar is the governance of natural resources. In the globally significant wetlands of the Gulf of Mottama (GoM), this project strengthens the capacities of government and communities to effectively manage, govern and value its coastal natural resources to sustainably improve livelihoods of people depending on them, while reducing the pressure on natural resource and conserving its unique environment and threatened biodiversity.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Myanmar
Climate change and environment
Governance
Employment & economic development
Agriculture & food security
Environmental policy
Democratic participation and civil society
Rural development
Agricultural development
Biodiversity
15.04.2018 - 31.01.2022
CHF  8’050’000
Background The GoM in the South-east of Myanmar is one of the most important intertidal mudflats in the world, and its estuarine section was recently designated under the Ramsar international convention. Its ecosystem services support food security and livelihoods of 1,500,000 people living across the coastal area, as well as the future generations. Local coastal communities are fishers, farmers, landless and disadvantaged people, relying on diverse livelihoods strategies as fishing, farming, casual labour and migration. Yes, they are vulnerable to overexploitation and loss of assets due to poor resources management. Women and landless are mostly vulnerable. 
Objectives

The overall goal of the project is that the unique biodiversity of the Gulf of Mottama (GoM) is conserved and sustainably developed in order to benefit human communities that depend on it.

This will result in improved livelihood security for vulnerable women and men in targeted coastal areas of the GoM, through sustainable and equitable use of natural resources and diversification of livelihoods.

Target groups Direct beneficiaries are at least 80,000 coastal inhabitants in Mon State and of Bago Region: small and medium scale fishermen, small-scale farmers, landless and land-poor HHs, women headed HHs and youth (at least 50% female, 30% disadvantaged). Other target groups are farmers, fishers, conservation associations and Coastal Natural Resources Management Committees (CNRMCs). Stakeholders are relevant state/regional government authorities, Non-state Actors, private sector, CSOs and universities
Medium-term outcomes

Outcome 1: Livelihoods are secured and diversified to build communities’ resilience.

Outcome 2: Coastal natural resource use is sustainable and well-managed and biodiversity is conserved.

Outcome 3: Coastal natural resources governance is coordinated and effective, and Awareness on the GoM valued is raised.

Results

Expected results:  

Increase income through improved/diversified fisheries, on- and off-farm livelihoods by skills and market system development

Practise inclusive co-management of CNR at village/township/district/State/Region levels

Increase communities resilience through ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Management (DRM)

Strengthen governance institutions

Support adaptation and enforcement of policies and laws on CNRM


Results from previous phases:  

  • Designation of a section of the GoM as Myanmar’s fourth Ramsar site in 2017
  • Development of the GoM Coastal Natural Resources Management Plan (CNRMP)
  • Establishment of a Fishery co-management protection zone by Government and communities
  • Formation and capacity building of Village Development Committees with sub-groups (fishers, farmers and landless) in all 30 villages
  • Initial investment provided for Vision Fund Myanmar (3,900 HHs received small credits)
  • Conduction of technical capacity building trainings on good agriculture practices, market and alternative livelihoods


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
Private sector
Swiss Non-profit Organisation
  • HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation
  • Foreign private sector North


Other partners
Yezin Agriculture University (YAU), Mawlamyine University, School for Agricultural, Forestry and Food Sciences (HAFL), Switzerland; Prince of Songkla Univeristy, Thailand; Washington State University, USA; Vision Fund Myanmar
Coordination with other projects and actors Strengthening Land Governance Programme (Land Core Group, OneMap), Local Governance Programme (UNDP), VSDP (SwissContact, IOM), LIFT, BioTrade, IUCN (SRJS, MFF), PROMISE, Local government agencies
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    8’050’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    7’721’497
Project phases Phase 3 01.01.2022 - 31.12.2024   (Current phase)

Phase 2 15.04.2018 - 31.01.2022   (Completed)

Phase 1 15.02.2015 - 30.06.2018   (Completed)