The EU strengthens the Food and Beverage Sector in Mongolia

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia – The COVID19 Pandemic has resulted in many unintended consequences; one being the glaring holes in our global supply chains, particularly in the food and beverage sector. As Mongolia continues to face shortages in fresh fruits, vegetables, and other imported produce, the further development and promotion of the local agri-food sector is now critical.

With 1.76 million Euros in financing from the European Union SWITCH-Asia programme, during a period of four years, the Switching on the Green Economy (SOGE) Project aims to support 1,500 agri-food and beverage MSMEs, 30 agri-food and beverage business associations (BA) and 750 retailers to adopt circular economy practices through a market-based eco labelling system, capacity building, behaviour change and access to green finance. By adopting these practices, the hope is that local businesses will sell and buy locally grown and produced food and beverages in Mongolia.

The SOGE project is designed and implemented by People in Need (PIN), together with Caritas Czech Republic INGO, the Mongolian Sustainable Finance Association, and the Development Solutions NGO. In line with the country’s national strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 27.2% by 2030, this is the first SWITCH-Asia project in the Agri-Food and Beverage Sector to be implemented in Mongolia.

G.Tuvdendorj, Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism also expressed his appreciation for the initiative: "The Government of Mongolia appreciates the European Union's continued support to green our economy. We look forward to working closely with the [SOGE] project to help the green transition of SMEs through eco-labelling that's inspired by the EU's Farm-to-Fork Strategy."

Due to the food and beverage sector’s heavy environmental impact, it is imperative to find innovative ways to transition to low carbon circular economy and accelerate poverty reduction. That is where learning from and adopting resource-efficient practices from the EU’s farm to fork can come into play.

“As we continue to rebuild the national and global economy, we must put an emphasis on building back greener. The project will support Mongolia by bringing expertise from the EU’s farm-to-fork strategy, EU Green Deal, and other global best practices. We are extremely grateful to the EU, the Government of Mongolia, and our partners for entrusting this important work to us,” said Tim Jenkins, Country Director at People In Need.

The SOGE Project merges PIN’s 30 years of global experience in leveraging the capacities of market actors to unleash large-scale systemic changes in the green economy with Mongolian Sustainable Finance Association’s cutting-edge green finance innovation, Development Solutions NGO’s renowned nation-wide business mentorship programs and CCR’s network of experts working in the areas of waste management, recycling, and circular economy.

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About the project 

Switching on the Green Economy is financed by the European Union SWITCH-Asia Programme to support the agri-food and beverage MSMEs and retailers in adopting circular economy practice through a market-based eco labelling system, capacity building, behaviour change and access to green finance. From 2022 to 2024, the project will be led by People In Need INGO in close partnership with the Mongolian Sustainable Finance Association, Development Solutions NGO, and Caritas Czech Republic INGO.

SWITCH-Asia Programme:

Supports the transition of Asian Countries to a low-carbon, resource-efficient and circular economy while promoting sustainable production and consumption patterns within Asia and greener supply chains between Asia and Europe.

Contact info:

For media inquiries, please contact Nomin Munkhjargal, Communication Manager: email: nomin.munkhjargal@peopleinneed.net / phone : +976 70111501

For project-related inquiries, please contact Lkhagvasuren (Lucky) Galbadrakh: Email : lkhagvasuren.galbadrakh@peopleinneed.net / phone : +976 70111501