Community Based Development Programme: a narrative report

2015-2018 Strategy

To improve the livelihood of low income households through supporting a sense of community and promoting participation in local development.

Objectives: To build capacity for the implementation of the right to development, and ESCR through promoting participation of low income citizens.

1. To strengthen and promote partnerships with stakeholders for local development and poverty alleviation.

2. To expand and strengthen the Community Development Fund (CDF) and Community Saving Groups Associations (CSGA).

3. To initiate a campaign for protection of environmental, land rights and human rights defenders.

4. To strengthen fundraising capacity.

Activities : The Community Based Development Program (CBDP) uses various tools to build and strenthen a sense of community. Community Saving Groups (CSG) was recognized as best practice both locally and internationally for community engagement. Currently we are working with more than 800 citizens in more than 60 CSG’s in Ulaanbaatar city, and Darkhan-Uul, Uvurkhangai, Dornod, Khentii and Sukhbaatar provinces. The CSG program has expanded into Community Savings Group associations (CSGA), and the Community Development Fund (CDF).

Project Focus: Improving living conditions A number of large projects have been implemented since 2011 focusing on improving

living conditions. The initial project was in Darkhan-Uul in 2011. Other projects have been implemented since then including in Uvurkhangai Province in 2012 and Dornod province in 2014-2015. CSGA’s Housing Council in Dornod province conducted research on housing conditions among its members, and identified emerging issues. Identified issues include poor conditions of roofing, fencing, insulation and toilet facilities. During the implementation of this project housing was improved for more than 30 people throughout Dornod province. It was a crucial learning process for the communities in terms of identifying common issues and assisting each other during the housing upgrades. Consequently, this process served to strengthen a sense of community.

Grants for improving housing conditions were targeted towards families those who id/do not own any homes, or have poor housing conditions. There were 4 families identified by the community itself that received a grant. They all improved their housing conditions or bought new homes. Beneficiaries include D. Sarangua from “Iveel” Savings Group from Ulaanbaatar city, L. Ser-Od from Khentii province and J. Soyolmaa, and N. Nergui from Dornod province.

L.Ser-Od’s improvement of housing condition. Khentii province. 2015.

“Through women’s eye’s”: A national conference

“Through women’s eye’s – State Responsibility” 10th National Conference took place on March 4th and 5th, 2015. A total of 122 community members from Uvurkhangai, Dornod, Khentii, Sukhbaatar and Darkhan-Uul provinces, as well as community members from Ulaanbaatar city participated in the conference.

Iren Fernandes Rural Women’s Leadership TrainingRural women strengthened their skills and knowledge through participating in the Irene Fernandes’ Rural Women’s Leadership Training that was held on April 25-29, 2015. It was organized at the Community Development Centre that was built by CSGA in Uvurkhangai province.

CHRD Strategic Plan 2015-2018 meeting

“CHRD Strategic Plan 2015-2018” meeting was held on May 24th through to May 26th, 2015. It was a meeting for critical analysis of emerging issues facing the organization and identifying action plans to reach current objectives. Participants included public interest lawyers, CSG members, former and current staff of CHRD, alumni of Public Interest Clinic Students group, and other beneficiaries. There were 30 participants. This resulted in the 2015-2018 Strategic Plan.

10 th Annivissary Conference - Experience Sharing meeting of CSG, Ulaanbaatar

CHRD celebrated the 10th anniversary of Ulaanbaatar CSG Community Savings Groups on July 20-24 in Ulaanbaatar. A conference sharing savings group experiences was held in conjunction with the celebration. More than 160 participants discussed lessons learnt, best practices and identified action plans and partnerships. Participants were from urban and rural CSGs and representatives of local governments. Participants travelled from Dornod, Khentii, Sukhbaatar, Uverhangai and Darkhan Provinces to Ulaanbaatar to participate.

Special protection for the lands of CSGs members

There are 12 areas of land that have been designated specially protected in 9 soums in Dornod province. Although the Provincial Citizens’ Representative Councildecided to protect these designated lands the decision was cancelled due to lack of local citizens’ opinion. Consequently, CSG members took action by disseminating information to each CSG. Then, CSGs’members

disseminated information to the wider community. CSGs lobbied the local Citizens Representative Council, as well as provincial Citizens Representative Council. It was repetitive process where numerous discussions were held at both the local and provincial level. As well as information dissemination, CSGs organized a campaign to gather signatures of local communities in October 12-20, 2015. During the campaign a total of 3000 signatures were collected from 9 soums. Furthermore, the “No Land, No Life” public gathering was organized by Senior’s Association Dornod province, CSGA, and CHRD. At this gathering citizens voiced their right to land and the special protection of those lands. Rights of Older Persons

Rights of Older Persons are often neglected both internationally as well as in Mongolia. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and human rights instruments do not include rights of older persons, and there is lack of inclusion of older persons in ESCR. Discrimination against older persons is quite prevalent throughout Mongolia. Due to this fact, local elders gathered together to express their voice. CHRD, CSGs, Trade Unions and Seniors’ Associations partnered together to organize various activities between October-November 2015. These events included a press conference and a public gathering to draw attention to the concerns of these

senior citizen. The main view that was express was that they are fully capable and active citizens who can contribute to the development of Mongolia but also are capable of developing their own livelihood. They wanted to be accepted as active citizens, not just inactive pensioners who receive benefits.

International Human Rights Day

“Defend Human Rights Defenders” public gathering was organized by CHRD in partnerships with local NGOs. Dec 10 2015.

CHRD took part in an inititiative for “Defend Human Rights Defenders” public gathering at the Chingis Square in partnership with national human rights NGOs in 10 Dec 2015. During the public gathering, human rights NGOs provided information about current issues of human rights in Mongolia and the situation of human rights defenders.

Our Development from our joint effort

The annual “Our development from our joint effort” experience sharing event was organized in December 2015. At this event, CSGs from different parts of Mongolia had an opportunity to share their best practices and to recognize the best CSG based on what have been achieved throughout the year. Most importantly the communities were able to jointly define next year’s action plan. In 2015, recognition for the best CSG was given to the “Joint Power” CSG from Khentii province.

CBDP Publications а/ CHRD brochure, English /Mongolian versions, each 1000 copies, a total of 2000 copies b/ CHRD folder English version 400 copies, Mongolian 1000 copiesc/ “Joint Development 10 years: 2005-2015” a memoir book. Mongolian, 300 copies

Attended training/conferences

N Training/conferences Name Date Location1 Field study in South

Korean NGOs U. Mandkhaitsetsen March 2015 Seoul, South

Korea 2 Mongolia Review UN

Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR)

U. Mandkhaitsetsen June 2015 Geneva, Switzerland

3 Asia Partners Training Workshop

U. Mandkhaitsetsen 14-27 November, 2015

Seoul, South Korea