Securing Energy Needs and Transition of RUral areas in Myanmar (SENTRUM) Contract related to: Securing Energy Needs and Transition of RUral areas in Myanmar (SENTRUM) - Supply and access to energy is vital to promoting economic growth, overcoming poverty, and facilitating human development. Prior to 2020, Myanmar was one of Asia¿s most rapidly growing economies and the share of the population having access to energy had increased considerably in recent years. However, the combined effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the political crisis have deeply affected Myanmar¿s population, halting decade of progress on economic development and poverty reduction in the country. The present political, economic and social crisis is expected to last for years. Currently it is estimated that nearly half of Myanmar¿s population is living below the national poverty, a level of impoverishment not seen in the country since 2005[1]. The current political crisis has a major impact on population¿s access to energy, meaning a reliable and affordable access to both clean cooking facilities and to electricity.&nbsp;&nbsp;The overall objective of this action is to achieve sustainable economic development and improve livelihoods in rural Myanmar. The Specific Objective of this action is to improve access to renewable electricity and sustainable energy solutions for businesses and households in rural Myanmar.Output 1 targets the access to sustainable electricity services from renewable sources mainly to the benefit of economic actors and rural MSMEs. Output is focused on access to sustainable energy and housing (equipment, products, practices) solutions for poor households (improved cook stoves, clean cooking fuel etc.). These two outputs will be complemented by Output 3 covering access to awareness raising, training and financing for local companies and end users. &nbsp;The main idea of this action is that the basic access to sustainable energy is ensured and responds to the needs of productive users (pumping - transformation - conservation...) as to services for households (cooking - lighting - communication - housing...) through the promotion, financing and diffusion of affordable and reliable source of renewable energy using renewable biomass value-chains, photovoltaic and hydro energy potential. The results should be then complemented in the third component thanks to access to information, training and financing. To ensure the roll-out of the action which will also target women, the youth and vulnerable communities in in rural areas, the project will mobilize the communities throughout the project cycle.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This action contributes primarily to SDG 1. ¿No Poverty¿. It also contributes to SDG 7. ¿Affordable and Clean Energy¿, SDG 5. ¿Gender equality¿ and SDG 13. ¿Climate Action¿.  [1] https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/