Unlocking the Power of Youth: How UNDP is Supporting the Next Generation in Myanmar

In Myanmar, young people aged 15 to 35 represent more than a third of the population. They are a powerful force for the future, full of potential and promise. However, too many face barriers that challenge their aspirations. Difficulties in accessing education, along with safety concerns, soaring living costs, and deeply rooted social norms, are some of the factors hindering their dreams. With one in four young people unemployed, and the majority of those aged 18 to 24 no longer in school or training, the struggle is real. Young women face even sharper challenges, as caregiving responsibilities and gender inequality restrict their opportunities and choices.

Nonetheless, young people in Myanmar have unwavering ambition—a fierce desire to learn, innovate, and lead.

UNDP is working with young women and men to transform their ambitions into opportunities. Through skills training, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and community engagement, young people are shaping their own paths and driving positive change.

Here’s how.

1. Opening Doors to the Digital Economy

Young people have expressed a desire for skills that will help them in the future, and we are taking action to meet that need. The UNDP eLearning Portal offers free courses in digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation. These resources are accessible even in remote areas, enabling young people who may not be able to travel far from home to learn at their own pace and prepare for entry into the digital workforce.

2. Boosting Youth-Led Businesses

Through the Myanmar Sustainable Business Network, backed by UNDP, more than 1,000 youth-led enterprises — many founded and run by young women — come together to share ideas, discover markets, and strengthen their digital marketing skills. This peer-to-peer training helps young entrepreneurs expand their businesses, creating not only income opportunities but also strengthening their communities in the process. Also, female entrepreneurs gain the confidence to lead in sectors where women have been underrepresented.

3. Launching the Frontier Tech Leaders Programme

For youth ready to explore advanced technology, this new UNDP programme offers mentored scholarships in artificial intelligence and machine learning. It equips participants with in-demand skills for tomorrow’s job market, preparing them for roles that will shape the economy of the future. The program also actively encourages applications from young women, opening pathways to high-demand tech fields where they often face barriers to entry. Register now.

4. Turning Volunteerism into Professional Experience

The United Nations Volunteer (UNV) Programme offers young people the opportunity to work alongside development professionals on community-level projects. Volunteers gain hands-on skills, build networks, and make a visible difference in people’s lives. This combination builds confidence and career readiness. Many female volunteers take on leadership roles, applying their skills to address local needs while building experience that supports future careers.

5. Building Peace Through Collaboration

Achieving lasting peace through a cessation of hostilities and a durable political resolution is a complex process that cannot be accomplished solely by the efforts of youth. With UNDP’s support, young women and men from diverse ethnic backgrounds have the opportunity to come together, connect, learn, and collaborate on projects related to community and sports activities. Young women often represent the majority of participants in these activities. These experiences empower young people to break down barriers, fostering a strong sense of unity and trust among one another and laying the foundations for inclusion and diversity that will shape Myanmar's future.

6. Training Youth as Community Advocates

Throughout Myanmar, UNDP supports rights education and training workshops that empower young women and men to become skilled paralegals and mediators. These sessions provide them with the tools to resolve conflicts, file claims, and safeguard their communities' rights. With over half of the participants being women, these workshops are not just about learning— they’re transforming perceptions of women’s contributions to leadership and justice.

A Generation on the Rise

Myanmar’s young people — women and men alike — are grappling with multiple daunting challenges. Nonetheless, they are demonstrating remarkable inner strength and determination. Given the right tools, connections, and opportunities, they have the potential to become successful entrepreneurs, innovators, and community leaders. UNDP's work with youth is not just about imparting skills. It builds trust and fosters empowerment. When young women and men are given opportunities and work together, they have the power to transform their communities and create hope for a more resilient and inclusive society where everyone can thrive.