An in-depth analysis of the relationship in different meso level institutions for social entrepreneurship: a case study of community-based tourism in Myaing Township, Magway Region, Myanmar

Student name: Mr Tint Zaw Hein
Guide: Dr Ritika Mahajan
Year of completion: 2019
Host Organisation: Myanmar Independent Living Initiative (MILI)
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Mr Nay Lin Soe

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Abstract:

Myaing Community-Based Tourism (CBT), Donor-Assisted CBT, is located Myaing Township, Magway Division, a two-hour drive from ancient city Bagan, does not have a significant tourist attraction. In another context, Myaing area is an untouched area of tourists with an authentic lifestyle of Burmese society where people can enjoy hospitality and simplicity of rural life. ActionAid Myanmar facilitated Myaing CBT project in late 2015 partnership with Journey Adventure, which is a member of Intrepid Group as poverty alleviation and women empowerment program with social entrepreneurship context.

The goals of the research are 1)to examine the role of meso-level institutions which largely focus on community-led social entrepreneurship model,2) to evaluate whether the community-led social entrepreneurship model could be replicated as an alternative model for reducing poverty, and 3) to study the role of women participation and leadership of Social Entrepreneurship model.

The methodology was fully employed with qualitative data collection under the concept of Participatory and Learning Research with the aim of empowering local community members. Purposive and snowball sampling were entirely applied for data collection with Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) from 25th December 2018 to 30th March 2019.

Myaing CBT( DACBT) is a success model of poverty alleviation with triple-bottom-line-components in ecology, economy, and society instead of People, Planet, and Profit. It was space for strengthening coordination of meso-level institutions and women agency. As a tangible outcome, increasing job opportunities, growing alternative incomes, and fundamental infrastructures were facilitated. As an intangible outcome, community members, especially women, have been empowered along with CBT project implementation in community level and household level. However, there is a gap on ownership and financial management, which will effect on the sustainability of CBT project between AAM and CBT committee.

Keywords: Community-Based Tourism, Social Entrepreneurship, meso-level institutions, women empowerment, poverty alleviation