From micro-grants to community impact: Parami students leading change across borders

At Parami University, education goes beyond the classroom. Through the Micro-Grant Program funded by the GHEA21 Network, a partner institution of Parami University, students are turning innovative ideas into practical initiatives that address community needs across Myanmar and among migrant populations in the region. These projects show how small-scale funding, combined with vision and commitment, can create meaningful social impact.

In Southern Shan State, the Sue San Project—led by Myo Myint Maung Maung, Khin Yadana Kyaw, Nann Kham Vwar, and May Thitsar—aims to equip youth with social inquiry skills.

Amid Myanmar’s ethnic conflict and complex social challenges, the lived experiences of poverty, displacement, and conflict are often underrepresented in formal decision-making processes. The Sue San Project addresses this gap by training youth in research-related skills, including ethical data collection, data analysis, and evidence-based communication, helping them better understand their communities and advocate for social issues in meaningful ways.

Since receiving the micro-grant, the team has translated learning materials, finalized the curriculum, and launched Cohort 13, bringing together participants from Myanmar, Thailand, and Cox’s Bazar to reflect the broader Myanmar diaspora.

The diversity of participants demonstrates that displacement has not diminished young people’s commitment to social service and social transformation.

“We feel a deep moral obligation to give back,” said Myo Myint Maung Maung. “This project is not only about teaching research skills; it is about ensuring that the education we were fortunate enough to receive is used to amplify the voices of those who have been silenced by conflict.” His words reflect the project’s core purpose—using education as a responsibility and research as a tool for inclusion.

While Sue San strengthens youth advocacy through research, another micro-grant initiative is expanding access to higher education for migrant youth in Thailand.

The ACADBridge project, led by Jue Jue Aung, supports Myanmar migrant students who face challenges navigating higher education systems with limited guidance. Many students are undocumented, face restricted scholarship opportunities, and lack reliable academic advising. For these students, pursuing university education can feel uncertain and isolating.

ACADBridge supports migrant students through mentorship, digital literacy training, and practical workshops. Since receiving the grant, the team has conducted workshops in 11 migrant schools in Mae Sot, reaching over 400 students. Training topics include university applications, CV and portfolio preparation, professional email writing, and evaluating reliable online information.

The project continues to expand beyond the funding period by building an online community, preparing digital workshops for border-area migrant and refugee students, and strengthening its mentorship network by connecting aspiring students with migrant students who have successfully entered university.

During one school visit, a teacher shared that refugee students in nearby border camps had never received formal educational guidance, adding, “If you can reach them—even online—it would change their lives.”

Reflecting on this, Jue Jue Aung said, “Behind every number in our report is a real person. The people who need us most are often the ones who are not counted.”

Through the Micro-Grant Program, Parami University students demonstrate that meaningful impact can begin with a simple idea rooted in lived experience. By strengthening youth research capacity and expanding educational access across borders, they are turning local issues into action and education into equal access to opportunities.