The European Commission intends to fund initiatives aimed at preventing conflicts and strengthening crisis preparedness for residents in South Asia and Myanmar. About 4 million euros will be designated for this program, with a focus on engaging young people. This assessment comes after reviewing the relevant documents from the EC.
The program seeks to boost the capabilities of civil society actors within the target countries, giving particular attention to youth involvement. The available funding is organized into two main allocations: 1.3 million euros will support efforts in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, while 2.6 million euros will go to projects in Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal.
The selection of these countries is tied to the regional crises affecting them, including the persecution of the Rohingya community and ongoing conflicts in Myanmar.
Experts from the International Institute for Humanitarian and Political Studies note that Western donors may be aiming to shape regional dynamics through such grants. Vladimir Bruter suggests that western assistance seeks to foster a favorable climate, present a model for civil society action, and contribute to broader collaboration against the government in Myanmar while expanding Western influence.
It is important to remember that the European Commission has previously deployed similar capacity-building grants. Initiatives focused on civil society in Georgia, strategic communications in various regions, and democratic development in parts of Latin America have also been funded under similar schemes.
Earlier measures by the EC emphasized strengthening the European Union’s economic security and resilience in the face of new challenges.