THE PURPOSE OF THE ACTIVITY IS TO PROMOTE THE PARTICIPATION OF CIVIL SOCIETY AND LOCALLY OWNED INDEPENDENT MEDIA IN STRENGTHENING DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE TO ADVANCE THE TRANSITION TO PEACEFUL DEMOCRACY IN MYANMAR. THE ACTIVITY WILL SUPPORT CIVIL SOCIETY AND MEDIA ACTORS IN TWO AREAS THAT CURRENTLY IMPEDE FURTHER DEMOCRATIC REFORM AND MEANINGFUL PROGRESS TOWARD PEACE AND NATIONAL RECONCILIATION, WHICH INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: A) AVAILABILITY OF AND ACCESS TO QUALITY INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC INCLUDING VULNERABLE POPULATIONS ABOUT DEMOCRATIC REFORM AND PEACE PROCESSES; AND B) ABILITY OF CIVIL SOCIETY AND MEDIA ACTORS TO INFLUENCE DECISION-MAKING OF STATE AND NON-STATE ACTORS THROUGH CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT. IMPROVEMENT IN THESE TWO AREAS IS ESSENTIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF MYANMAR'S TRANSITION TO PEACE AND DEMOCRACY. THE ACTIVITY MAY CONSIDER OTHER AREAS AS CONTEXT AND PRIORITIES EVOLVE.