The Oak Foundation Human Rights Programme selected EWMI and Partners Asia to carry out its Donor-Advised Fund in Burma, with the aim of supporting the government’s declared commitment to the development of the rule of law as the nation began its transition to democracy. The three-year, $2,000,000 project provided grants to local organizations in Burma and provided technical assistance to these groups as they developed legal aid strategies and built up their individual organizational capacity.
EWMI was pleased to work with its new counterparts from Partners Asia, whose founders have decades of experience working on community development and human rights in Burma and along its borders, and with the Oak Foundation, who have addressed social concerns and human rights worldwide for thirty years. EWMI supported the project by providing expertise on assisting the development of legal aid and public interest law programs, and guidance in carrying out grants programs in the justice sector. Partners Asia and EWMI were committed to a locally-driven project, and hired Burmese nationals to serve as the project director and other full time project staff.