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The Challenge:
In the early 1990s, Mongolia gained its independence, but lost a third of the national income that had previously been provided by the Soviet Union. A newcomer to the market economy, Mongolia has steadily recovered and found its feet, but as is typically the case in times of transition, many individuals find themselves without secure livelihoods or the means to obtain one. One such group is made up of peri-urban (Ger Area) residents surrounding Mongolia’s largest cities, and it is with these people that the CHF Mongolia works.These formerly nomadic people continue to settle in Ger Areas in the outlying districts of Mongolia’s Major cities. Ger areas are comprised of thousands of small, fenced-in plots of land (khaashas) and remain isolated from the main commercial activity and public services.
CHF Mongolia: The GER Initiative
CHF International’s Growing Entrepreneurship Rapidly (GER) Initiative in Mongolia improves the livelihoods of urban residents of Mongolia’s four largest cities, by providing demand driven economic development services, including:
- Business Services
- Loan Facilitation
- Business Training
- Business Consulting
- Association Development
- Business and Municipal Information Services
By the Numbers Through September 2006, the GER Initiative has:
- Expanded or improved more than 1,800 small businesses;
- Generated more than 2,000 new jobs and matched 4,200 to existing jobs;
- Provided loans to 2,800 individuals for the establishment or improvement of businesses;
- Assisted thousands of individuals with trainings and consultations for entrepreneurs; and
- Organized 41 trade fairs, which generated over $169,000 in revenue for clients.
- Training
- Vocational
- Soft Skills
The objectives of the GER Initiative are:
- To help entrepreneurs start new businesses
- To help entrepreneurs Expand or improve their existing businesses
- To increase employment opportunities for Ger Area Residents by placing them in jobs or helping to create new jobs
Employment Matching: One Woman’s Experience
Narantuya is a young woman from Gobi-Altai province in Southeastern Mongolia – she and her family now live in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. In her first job at a sewing company, she was subjected to unhealthy working conditions with long hours and substandard pay. In some months, Narantuya would bring home less than USD $9 for her efforts.
Eventually she decided that the situation was unbearable and began looking for alternatives. She soon came across CHF International's employment matching service, a key element of the USAID-funded GER Initiative.The service found a reputable sewing company nearby that would fit well with Narantuya’s needs and experience. She is now earning a competitive wage, while working in a safe and healthy environment.
For more information, visit www.chfmongolia.org