S.Battogtokh: Children’s Project Ideas Are Often More Creative and Innovative Than Adults’

– The bank manager volunteered to handle the project’s finances –

His name is S. Battogtokh, and he has been working at KHAAN Bank in Bogd soum, Uvurkhangai province since 2003. Since 2020, he has also served as the finance focal point for the “Entrepreneurship-Focused Socio-Emotional Skills for the Most Vulnerable Youth in Rural Mongolia” project. Let’s take a closer look at how someone from the banking sector is making a difference by working with children involved in the project.

In most soums, the finance focal points of the project councils are stockkeepers or accountants from the Governor’s Office. However, in Bogd soum, this role is filled by the head of Khan Bank. This has proven beneficial for the project team, as the children’s micro-grant proposals are quite similar to adult loan applications — something he reviews on a daily basis — just in a simplified form.

                         

A total of 12 projects are currently being successfully implemented in Bogd soum. Their consistent and realistic execution from the beginning is closely linked to the efforts of member Battogtokh. For someone who regularly reviews and approves numerous loan applications and provides business loans, evaluating micro-projects developed by children is likely a simple task for him. Having a knowledgeable financial advisor like him has been a key factor in the success of these initiatives.

G.Dorjnamjim, a teacher in the ESEL program in Bogd soum, was the first to offer him the role of finance focal point.

Battogtokh said, “As someone who regularly reviews and provides loans for adult business projects, it was interesting to shift gears and support micro-business projects developed by teenagers and young people. When I attended the finance focal point training and became fully familiar with the project’s implementation and financial requirements, I realized just how detailed the calculations and planning involved really were. At first, it was hard to imagine that the children could meet all those standards—but the results exceeded my expectations.”

Despite the challenges, he expressed gratitude that the project and the ESEL training have equipped children and young people with a strong foundation in project proposal writing and business. “In addition to theoretical knowledge, the training offered hands-on experience in developing and implementing micro-project proposals. A young person who gains this kind of knowledge and experience as a teenager will be well-prepared to engage in financial matters in the future,” he said.

Battogtokh emphasized that it is the best to see the results of project proposals written by children because they are more creative and innovative than those written by adults. For children of Bogd soum, creative and innovative craft projects such as Ukhaan Zaya, Nature Craft, Shagain Naadgai, Let’s Think Creatively and Live Wisely, Uran Shaglaa, Uran Bielgee, Gobi, Uran Bichleg, etc. are prevalent. Young people implement projects that combine production and service, such as Uran Gogtsoo, Malyn Khishig, Electronic Boy, and Tansag Urlal.