Who are MATA?

Myanmar Alliance for Transparency and Accountability is a civil society alliance that supports civil society actors to collaboratively advocate for transparency and accountability in all sectors across Myanmar. More than 400 civil society organizations, civil society network and individual from the whole country of Myanmar are involved in MATA as members.

MATA was formed as a mechanism for civil society coordination with the EITI process. However, it is just one example of the initiatives we support to build openness in natural resource management across the country. The Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) is another example of an initiative that MATA intends to help facilitate in Myanmar. This is an EU Action Plan which aims to support improvements to forest governance around the world.

Key Civil Society and MATA Achievements to Date

In 2013, an inclusive process was initiated to ensure that civil society representatives were elected for EITI’s MSG to represent broad interests from across the country.

Civil society needed to develop a strong base and elect its representatives through a well-informed, inclusive and transparent process.

By January 2014, civil society working groups in each state and region (except Karen State) finalised the selection of representatives to participate in the national steering group where they join civil society MSG representatives to make decisions collectively.

• State and regional workshops were held to select 15 to 25 persons for their respective working groups.
• 5 representatives were selected to join the national civil society EITI working group.
• In addition, one representative out of the five was selected as focal person for the state or region. They serve as a member of Civil Society EITI Steering Committee comprised of 9 Civil Society MSG representatives and 14 focal persons from the states and regions.
• The MATA Steering Committee is a decision making body that supports the MSG to work effectively on decision making processes and other matters.
• 9 interim civil society representatives for MSG were officially nominated as MSG members for one term.

MATA was formed to support the coordination of elected actors and organisations following democratic selection criteria across the whole of Myanmar.

Mission

• To advocate for transparency and accountability by government, elected representatives, companies, donors and civil society.

• To promote the freedom of public participation in, and scrutiny of, Myanmar’s legal frameworks and guidelines relating to resources.

Objectives

• Advocate for transparency and accountability in the management of natural resources by Government, private sector and civil society organisations.

• Raise awareness of the importance of transparency through education and training sessions.

• Build partnerships with INGO, NGO, Government, CSOs and other stakeholders.

• Strengthen the capacity of CSO and communities toimprove Natural Resources Governance.

• Increase freedom of information, monitoring mechanisms and the accessibility of data.
• Promote the freedom of CSO participation in Myanmar.

Responsibilities of MATA in EITI

Our key activities are;

1. Partnership development and Coordination for advocacy :

• Internal coordination between MSG Civil Society Representatives, Technical Support Group, National Civil Society Working Group, and State/Regional Working Groups
• External coordination between donors, International Organizations, INGOs, MDRI, Private Sector and Government

2. Organize meetings, visits and workshops including regular National Steering Group Meetings, Civil Society MSG Representative Meetings and Workshops
3. Information sharing to all relevant stakeholders e.g. circulating MSG meeting minutes; media, engagement, dissemination of IECs (produced by MATA or by others)
4. Technical and administrative support to Civil Society MSG Representatives, and to Regional and State Working Groups
5. Capacity Building (in house discussions, link with Initiatives like Revenue Watch Institute, etc)
6. Fund Raising and Fund Management. The coordination office, together with Steering Committee, will develop resource mobilization strategy and raise funds. It will also provide transparent and accountable fund management.
7. Two rooms in the Yangon Office will be available as a guest room to save accommodation costs. The rooms will be able to accommodate 7- 8 persons.
8. Monitoring and Reporting. Regular evaluation and communication of results.