In order to eliminate poverty on the one hand and to promote sustainable and inclusive development in Myanmar, we need to understand factors governing the livelihoods of the people in different areas of Myanmar. In this view, EMReF has been carrying out Qualitative Social and Economic Monitoring (QSEM) since 2012 in partnership with Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund and the World Bank. QSEM is the longitudinal study on 56 villages across the six regions and states of Myanmar: Ayeyarwaddy, Mandalay, Magwe, Chin, Rakhine and Shan. Kachin state was added to the study areas starting from the 8th round of the study. The study is applied mixed method. The project is funded LIFT and technically supported by the World Bank.QSEM supplements LIFT’s core M&E system, aims to provide in-depth assessments of livelihoods issues in villages where LIFT is working or is expected to work. Specifically, QSEM aims to provide a deep understanding of:

• The local physical, economic, social and institutional contexts in which LIFT projects work and how these vary across areas;
• How these local contextual factors shape the livelihoods choices villagers make and their well-being;
• How, and the degree to which, external assistance (including LIFT) is shaping local contexts and leading to improvements in livelihoods.