EDNA Myanmar: Empowering Entrepreneurs and Communities
Since its establishment in 2014, EDNA Myanmar has been committed to fostering entrepreneurship and driving economic growth in Myanmar, focusing on four key goals:
1. Developing local entrepreneurship teaching capabilities and skills
2. Strengthening entrepreneurship research, activities and impact
3. Supporting initiatives that benefit local entrepreneurs and their communities.
4. Build productive relationships within Myanmar(among industry, government, and educators) and across the region.
Key Initiatives and Collaborations
- Grassroots Entrepreneurship Education Project:
Funded by the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT), this flagship initiative promotes pro-poor enterprise development. It was delivered in partnership with the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Research Group at the University of Sydney Business School.
- Project Implementation Services:
Since its inception, EDNA Myanmar has managed and implemented various development projects in collaboration with INGOs and humanitarian organizations.
- University Collaborations:
EDNA Myanmar partners with universities across Myanmar to support business planning competitions, collaborates with dry-zone universities on teaching entrepreneurship, and mentors graduate students on research projects.
- Ministry Partnerships:
EDNA Myanmar has collaborated with the Ministry of Commerce and the SME Department of the Ministry of Industries to design and implement programs aimed at fostering the growth and development of Myanmar’s SME sector.
- ToT for Basic Business Knowledge and Job Readiness Skills:
In collaboration with its sister organization, Moving Forward Together, EDNA Myanmar has developed developed Basic Business Knowledge and Job Readiness Skill Development courses. Facilitators have been trained to deliver these courses across Myanmar.
Private Sector and Sustainability
EDNA Myanmar engages with the private sector through fee-for-service programs, supporting CSR initiatives that benefit rural entrepreneurs. Since 2017, EDNA has also introduced affordable Entrepreneurship Education, Basic Business Knowledge and Job Readiness Skill Development courses in Kachin, Kayin, Mon, Shan, Sagaing, and Ayeyarwady regions. All profits are reinvested into the organization to sustain future initiatives.
