Lastly, this solution has included capacity-building activities and awareness-raising meetings across all 21 provinces and the capital since 2022. For capacity-building, trainings have been provided online and in-person, while forums and workshops were also organized for broader discussions. Awareness-raising meetings have targeted specific local decision-makers and have been conducted in-person.  

The objective of these activities is to equip local actors with the knowledge and skills needed for environmental management and budgeting aligned with the NRUF, through exercises on planning, execution reporting, and monitoring and evaluation of local environmental budgets. Trainings have also focused on the Environmental Budget and Expenditure Database, helping local governments to disclose their information and improving data-driven planning and decision-making.  

 Moreover, UNDP BIOFIN is working with the government of Mongolia in the development of an expenditure taxonomy, which will provide a standardized categorization of environmental expenditures, adding clarity and consistency to budget reporting.  

A public Environmental Budget and Expenditure database was developed to disclose environmental budgets and expenditures (since 2023). Its intuitive and visual layout allows users to track how much each province has spent on biodiversity each year. This has two main implications.  

 First, by having to thoroughly fill the database, local governments can use it as a tool to better understand how to develop their own environmental budgets and clarifying which categories should be included.  

 Second, the public database promotes accountability and transparency in environmental planning and budgeting, encouraging governments to fulfill their biodiversity finance responsibilities under the NRUF and, ultimately, functioning as an effective monitoring tool.  

BIOFIN and the National Audit Office of Mongolia jointly assessed the implementation level of the NRUF and examined institutional and regulatory gaps affecting law enforcement. The review found that weak enforcement resulted from legal ambiguities, inconsistent regulations, and ineffective coordination among government agencies. Following this process, BIOFIN provided technical assistance to develop revised regulations that address these legal ambiguities.  

Beyond regulatory enhancements, a fundamental component was strengthening cooperation and communication between government agencies — ensuring that the NRUF and its revised regulations are understood and effectively implemented. This is particularly important since local governments are responsible for incorporating the NRUF, a national law, into their budget processes. To support this, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) began to issue bi-annual budget call circulars: official instructions that explain the procedures to prepare next fiscal year’s budget, helping local governments to incorporate biodiversity expenditures. The MoF also increased efforts to review and approve dedicated budgets for environmental protection and natural resource rehabilitation.  

Through the establishment of a dedicated emergency management task force, the refinement of contingency plans, the development of a robust disaster information communication framework, and the implementation of regular drills, the community's capacity for disaster preparedness and response has been significantly strengthened.

A comprehensive community emergency management map was developed, delineating critical infrastructure such as roads, residential buildings, and waterways. The map also identifies the locations of vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, pregnant women, and individuals with disabilities, while designating safe evacuation routes to provide a clear and actionable foundation for disaster response.

Special attention was given to addressing the specific needs of women during disasters. Preparedness measures included ensuring an adequate stockpile of sanitary products, while drills incorporated protocols to safeguard the mobility and security of women and girls, with a particular focus on mitigating risks of gender-based violence.

The “Grandmothers’ Climate Stories” series combined group study, film screenings, and lectures with traditional ethnic ecological values, such as reverence for nature. 

Around the theme of “Women and Climate,” women leaders shared the impacts of climate change on women’s health, raised awareness about the link between pesticide overuse and breast cancer risks, promoted the use of protective equipment, and encouraged reduced pesticide use. In addition, women carried out public education on climate-related infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue, and chikungunya, organizing 3–5 person teams to visit households, guide villagers in clearing standing water to curb mosquito breeding, and teach methods and knowledge for disease prevention.

The project introduced water-saving technologies, such as drip irrigation and micro-sprinklers, and established demonstration households. A women’s cooperative for sustainable agriculture was created, supported by RMB 10,000 seed funding and small individual contributions (RMB 200 per household). Members jointly purchased seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides to reduce costs.

Drawing on empowerment theory, the project focused on three dimensions:

• Personal capacity-building (climate education, financial literacy, leadership, and domestic violence prevention).
• Support networks (monthly women’s group meetings).
• Community engagement (collaborating with external partners to improve the local environment).

This approach enabled women to recognize their potential and overcome feelings of disempowerment.

Develop a low-carbon lifestyle and carbon reduction verification standard focused on repairing used items. Establish a “low-carbon credits” system to incentivize participation and allow residents to redeem community services. Specifically, residents earn carbon reduction credits by repairing old items, which can then be redeemed with community partners for benefits such as reduced hospital registration fees, and discounted grocery products or repair materials. This approach promotes resident engagement and encourages sustainable living practices.