A lush harvest with Darkhan Gumat organic fertilizer

26.03.2022 — Local news Mongolia
In February 2022, Bio Undarga’s Darkhan Gumat fertilizer line was launched. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation team had the pleasure of attending the start-up’s product launch ceremony. Located at the state-owned Darkhan-Uul Institute of Plant and Agriculture Sciences (IPAS), this public-private development project is the company’s third innovative product line. 

Gobi Mirage

23.03.2022 — Local news Mongolia
There was a post office in a tiny village in the Gobi, abandoned since early 2000, that was featured in a famous movie once. Camels wandered on the outskirts of a village in a stunningly beautiful Gobi with antelopes and ibex aplenty, where sands were broken by saxaul and elm. 

The famous Mongolian rock band The HU joins the Responsible Nomads brand

22.03.2022 — Local news Mongolia
What amazes you first when coming to Mongolia? Perhaps the endless steppes reflecting sunlight from the window of your plane or train? These steppes seem empty at first, but if you look closer, you’ll see it’s full of life and soul. Just imagine the open steppes, wind in your face, galloping on the back of a horse. What would you probably do? We bet you’ll feel like singing. Maybe that’s why Mongolia is home to so many internationally famous opera singers. 

“The Secret History of Mongol Costumes” documentary

21.03.2022 — Local news Mongolia
Do you know the unique clothing from Mongolia, the deel, colorful and often decorated with beautiful embroidery? Are you able to distinguish between the symbolism of different head decorations for women and men, the unique and amazing hats? 

Message from Head of Cooperation

20.03.2022 — Local news Mongolia

Dear readers,

I am happy to present another issue of “Onsite Insight” newsletter.

In this edition, we would like to take you into the evolving world of business. 

Mongolian-made yak leather football reaches Dubai

19.03.2022 — Local news Mongolia
Mongolia has around 600,000 yaks. They live mostly in high-altitude mountainous regions. There are 20,000 herder households tending yak herds for a living. Yaks are environmentally friendly animals, making use of rangelands in the Khangai and Altai mountain ranges. They are perfectly adapted to the extremely cold environment due to the unique features of their skin and fibre, which provide warmth and comfort. They are also highly resilient and adaptive animals.

MyHotel is preparing hospitality service providers for a digital future

18.03.2022 — Local news Mongolia
Mongolia, a country with rich history, pristine nature, wildlife, and nomadic cultural heritage, faces challenges in adapting to a new wave of technology in the digital age and identifying ways to accelerate the development of tourism and hospitality services. Through the digitalisation of hospitality services, Mongolia will make progress in building an inclusive and sustainable tourism system that supports economic development.

Youth Employment Promotion Project closes with great achievements and success

28.01.2022 — Local news Mongolia
Launched in 2016, the Youth Employment Promotion project was successfully implemented in Mongolia by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection (MLSP) and by German consulting group GFA, with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

Parliamentary education for children

27.01.2022 — Local news Mongolia
The role of citizens in a democracy does not start and end with the election of parliament members as their representatives. The parliament must always be in touch with the people to stay connected to their interests and needs. On the other hand, citizens, especially children and youth, need to actively express their views. Therefore, just like parliament, citizens have the responsibility, right, and duty to guarantee a thriving democracy.

UN Special Rapporteur from Geneva visits Umnugobi Province to learn more about domestic violence in rural areas

26.01.2022 — Local news Mongolia
Umnugobi Province is the largest and richest province in the country, known for its fascinating nature and tourist attractions. However, it is one of the top three provinces in terms of the highest prevalence rate of gender-based violence (GBV); 63.3 percent of women in the province say they have experienced gender-based violence.

The child protection system still needs more attention

25.01.2022 — Local news Mongolia
After legal reform in 2016, not only did many new services, service providers, and cooperation emerge in the child protection system, but coordination among duty bearers also strengthened. Legislative acts and standards were ratified, designed to ensure the implementation of these laws. Today, regulations are being developed and gradually improved. However, there are many challenges still facing the child protection system. 

Message from Head of Cooperation

24.01.2022 — Local news Mongolia

Dear readers,

As I write these lines, we have already entered 2022. I sincerely hope that you had an inspiring start to the New Year. The latest COVID-19 statistics in Mongolia give a glimmer of hope and certainty about recovery in the coming months.

Message from the Head of SDC in Mongolia

30.04.2021 — Press release Mongolia
It is true. Time does fly. Memories of my arrival in beautiful Ulaanbaatar are still fresh. In the blink of an eye, I have already spent nine months as Head of the Swiss Cooperation Office and Consular section in Mongolia.

Call for art and culture project proposals

04.01.2021 — Press release Mongolia
The Swiss Cooperation Office in Mongolia is calling for proposals for art and culture projects with the aim to foster local cultural identity and artistic diversity and encourage the creative use of art for social transformation and development in Mongolia.

Switzerland's responses to COVID-19 in Mongolia

04.05.2020 — Press release Mongolia
Despite being itself affected by the COVID-19, Switzerland decided to show solidarity and support to Mongolia in facing the negative consequences of the anti-COVID measures affecting the Mongolian population.

Call for proposals – Environment and Climate Change

22.07.2019 — Press release Mongolia

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation’s (SDC) overall objective in Mongolia is to contribute to the empowerment of Mongolian citizens and institutions towards an equitable, green and prosperous society, leaving no one behind. The current domains of intervention are Agriculture and Food Security, Governance and Basic and Vocational Education and Training.  

SDC Mongolia is calling for proposals for Small Action Projects to address environmental issues and promote climate change resilience of local communities in Mongolia, as well as knowledge generation, through innovative approaches and/or technological solutions. Projects should not exceed a duration of 18 months and be carried out in Mongolia.

Women Leadership Forum with 400 prominent national and local leaders

05.07.2019 — Press release Mongolia

In a bid to address the continued decline of female representation in politics in Mongolia, more than 400 people from throughout the country gathered at a Women Leaders’ Forum in June to discuss the challenges and ways ahead. 

The forum provided female Members of Parliament and representatives from Ulaanbaatar, rural khurals, development agencies and the media with a platform to share knowledge, experiences and best practices, expand their networks, and learn from one another.

SDC Director Gabriella Spirli’s speech at the celebration of 55 years of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Switzerland and 15 years of SDC present in Mongolia: “Mongolia and his people will always be in my heart”

05.07.2019 — Press release Mongolia
“I am proud of the tangible results we have achieved together with our partners in all sectors that we are engaged in. Without modesty, I can say that we are making a difference - at national and provincial levels, but also at the level of people’s lives. The Mongolian artisanal small scale mining sector has been strengthened with ASM-related concerns anchored in important policies. More young people are attending vocational training schools and getting better chances to find a decent job. Local parliament members are empowered and better equipped to perform their duties, and recently initiated collaboration between the Mongolian Parliament Secretariat and Swiss Parliament Services have opened new avenues for partnership. The vegetables sector continued to be strengthened, e.g. by reducing vegetables imports from other countries. This list of our joint accomplishments is too long; I will never manage to be exhaustive.

An official visit of the President of National Council of the Swiss Confederation to Mongolia

04.07.2019 — Press release Mongolia
Marking the 55^th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 15^th year of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Mongolia, the President of the National Council of the Swiss Confederation Ms. Marina Carobbio Guscetti and the Swiss Ambassador to Mongolia Mr. Bernardino Regazzoni paid an official visit to Mongolia in June, on invitation from the Mongolian Parliamentary Speaker G. Zandanshatar.

Mongolia moves forward on rangeland protection

18.06.2019 — Press release Mongolia

With 57 percent of Mongolia’s rangelands already degraded, of which 10 percent are beyond recovery, the future for hundreds of thousands of herder families hangs in the balance. 

The urgency of situation was a call to action for the more than 850 people who gathered at Parliament House on May 7 to discuss ways to improve the current regulatory environment governing rangeland use and protection. Among them were 720 herders and representatives from all 21 aimags and 331 soums in Mongolia.

Improved access to services for survivors of gender-based violence

11.06.2019 — Press release Mongolia
Through the "Combating Gender-Based Violence in Mongolia" Project of UNFPA, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and the Mongolian Government, seven new One Stop Service Centers (OSSCs) have been opened in five provinces - Khuvsgul, Bayan-Ulgii, Darkhan-Uul, Khentii, and Dornod - as well as two districts of Ulaanbaatar - Khan-Uul and Bayanzurkh - within the last year. Another two Centers are expected to be launched in Umnogobi and Uvurkhangai in 2019.

ASM Formalisation: Mongolia’s five ingredients for success

08.05.2019 — Press release Mongolia
An estimated 40 million people are engaged in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) around the world. We know that poverty is the most significant driver for this industry, and the dream of discovering a valuable deposit is hard to resist. In all countries, ASM remains predominantly informal; miners occupy the margins, and are a stigmatised sub-section of society living an economically and socially precarious existence. Governments and downstream companies are increasingly recognising that ASM, as the livelihood of many, could and should be considered a significant contributor to global development and granted a legitimate role in global supply chains. Formalising, legalising and regulating the sector has the potential to further many of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, from advancing gender equality to increasing the contribution of ASM to the local and national economy.

Call for art and culture project proposals

22.01.2019 — Press release Mongolia
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in Mongolia is calling for proposals for art and culture projects with the aim to foster local cultural identity and artistic diversity and encourage the creative use of art for social transformation and development in Mongolia.

Federal elections 2019 – Vote!

18.01.2019 — Press release Mongolia
On 20 October 2019, elections will be held to fill Switzerland's 246 parliamentary seats. Swiss nationals living abroad, who are included in the Register of the Swiss Abroad, can vote for candidates and stand for election themselves.

A lush harvest with Darkhan Gumat organic fertilizer

26.03.2022 — Local news Mongolia
In February 2022, Bio Undarga’s Darkhan Gumat fertilizer line was launched. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation team had the pleasure of attending the start-up’s product launch ceremony. Located at the state-owned Darkhan-Uul Institute of Plant and Agriculture Sciences (IPAS), this public-private development project is the company’s third innovative product line. 

Gobi Mirage

23.03.2022 — Local news Mongolia
There was a post office in a tiny village in the Gobi, abandoned since early 2000, that was featured in a famous movie once. Camels wandered on the outskirts of a village in a stunningly beautiful Gobi with antelopes and ibex aplenty, where sands were broken by saxaul and elm. 

The famous Mongolian rock band The HU joins the Responsible Nomads brand

22.03.2022 — Local news Mongolia
What amazes you first when coming to Mongolia? Perhaps the endless steppes reflecting sunlight from the window of your plane or train? These steppes seem empty at first, but if you look closer, you’ll see it’s full of life and soul. Just imagine the open steppes, wind in your face, galloping on the back of a horse. What would you probably do? We bet you’ll feel like singing. Maybe that’s why Mongolia is home to so many internationally famous opera singers. 

“The Secret History of Mongol Costumes” documentary

21.03.2022 — Local news Mongolia
Do you know the unique clothing from Mongolia, the deel, colorful and often decorated with beautiful embroidery? Are you able to distinguish between the symbolism of different head decorations for women and men, the unique and amazing hats? 

Message from Head of Cooperation

20.03.2022 — Local news Mongolia

Dear readers,

I am happy to present another issue of “Onsite Insight” newsletter.

In this edition, we would like to take you into the evolving world of business. 

Mongolian-made yak leather football reaches Dubai

19.03.2022 — Local news Mongolia
Mongolia has around 600,000 yaks. They live mostly in high-altitude mountainous regions. There are 20,000 herder households tending yak herds for a living. Yaks are environmentally friendly animals, making use of rangelands in the Khangai and Altai mountain ranges. They are perfectly adapted to the extremely cold environment due to the unique features of their skin and fibre, which provide warmth and comfort. They are also highly resilient and adaptive animals.

MyHotel is preparing hospitality service providers for a digital future

18.03.2022 — Local news Mongolia
Mongolia, a country with rich history, pristine nature, wildlife, and nomadic cultural heritage, faces challenges in adapting to a new wave of technology in the digital age and identifying ways to accelerate the development of tourism and hospitality services. Through the digitalisation of hospitality services, Mongolia will make progress in building an inclusive and sustainable tourism system that supports economic development.

Youth Employment Promotion Project closes with great achievements and success

28.01.2022 — Local news Mongolia
Launched in 2016, the Youth Employment Promotion project was successfully implemented in Mongolia by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection (MLSP) and by German consulting group GFA, with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

Parliamentary education for children

27.01.2022 — Local news Mongolia
The role of citizens in a democracy does not start and end with the election of parliament members as their representatives. The parliament must always be in touch with the people to stay connected to their interests and needs. On the other hand, citizens, especially children and youth, need to actively express their views. Therefore, just like parliament, citizens have the responsibility, right, and duty to guarantee a thriving democracy.

UN Special Rapporteur from Geneva visits Umnugobi Province to learn more about domestic violence in rural areas

26.01.2022 — Local news Mongolia
Umnugobi Province is the largest and richest province in the country, known for its fascinating nature and tourist attractions. However, it is one of the top three provinces in terms of the highest prevalence rate of gender-based violence (GBV); 63.3 percent of women in the province say they have experienced gender-based violence.

The child protection system still needs more attention

25.01.2022 — Local news Mongolia
After legal reform in 2016, not only did many new services, service providers, and cooperation emerge in the child protection system, but coordination among duty bearers also strengthened. Legislative acts and standards were ratified, designed to ensure the implementation of these laws. Today, regulations are being developed and gradually improved. However, there are many challenges still facing the child protection system. 

Message from Head of Cooperation

24.01.2022 — Local news Mongolia

Dear readers,

As I write these lines, we have already entered 2022. I sincerely hope that you had an inspiring start to the New Year. The latest COVID-19 statistics in Mongolia give a glimmer of hope and certainty about recovery in the coming months.