During the early years of Myanmar’s transition there were pressing questions about how socioeconomic and political shifts were impacting the lives of ordinary citizens. What did people want out of the transition? What were sources of hope and concern? How was the transition shifting vulnerabilities and priorities? How were people navigating new challenges and opportunities? What type of support was being sought locally?
These questions are incredibly important to ask and investigate, even if they don’t yield clear answers. A better understanding of local experiences in a transitioning environment leads to better responses, interventions and policies. While few would challenge the utility of researching how the transition in Myanmar felt at the grassroots, it is rare to find a Foundation that is comfortable with the flexibility and adaptability such research requires