The Livelihoods and Food Security Fund (LIFT) is a multi-donor fund established in Myanmar in 2009. Operating under the management of the United Nations Office for Projects Services (UNOPS), LIFT aims to strengthen the resilience and sustainable livelihoods of poor households by helping people reach their full economic potential.

This is achieved through increasing incomes, improving the nutrition of women and children, and decreasing vulnerabilities to shocks, stresses and adverse trends. LIFT is also working to encourage diversification in agriculture, more microfinance financial services, gender equality, social protection initiatives, safe migration, and skilling people for new jobs.

LIFT support amounts to USD 539 million and has reached around 12.4 million vulnerable people in 269 townships across all 14 states and regions. LIFT finances projects implemented by partners, and provides technical expertise, targeted research and its position of oversight to improve programme design and cohesion for better overall impact.

LIFT’s partners include local and international non-government organisations, UN agencies, civil society actors, academic and research bodies, and the private sector.

LIFT has received funding from altogether 16 international donors since it was established. The current donors are the UK, the EU, Australia, Switzerland, the US, Canada, New Zealand and Norway.

Mission Statement

LIFT empowers vulnerable groups, strengthens people’s resilience and transforms lives through innovative and results-oriented partnerships.

How we work

  • LIFT is evidence-driven, collaborative and flexible
  • LIFT’s programmes are progressive, innovative, dynamic, catalytic and transformative
  • LIFT is accountable to the communities it serves, to its partners and to its donors

LIFT’s values

  • Collaborative - Enabling - Transformative - Accountable

LIFT’s strategy consistently adapts to the changing economical, political, rural development and conflict contexts in Myanmar. LIFT’s strategy has been updated three times since 2009 to maximise its impact in the dynamic and changing context of Myanmar.