Save the Children in Mongolia and Nalaikh District officials Sign Memorandum of Understanding

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, September 16, 2024 – Save the Children in Mongolia launched the “My Forest Child” (MFC) project in August 2024 to mitigate climate change impact in Nalaikh District, Ulaanbaatar. This project, funded by Save the Children Korea, will be implemented from 2024 to 2027.

A three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of this project and further cooperation in child protection, health, and education was signed by Bayan-Altai L., Country Manager and Representative of Save the Children in Mongolia, and Ankhbayar Kh., Governor of Nalaikh District.

The MoU signing ceremony took place in the meeting hall of the Nalaikh District Governor’s office on September 13, 2024. The event was attended by project partners from the Governor’s Office, Department of Education, principals of secondary schools, managers, student participatory club representatives, teachers, and students from the Mongolian-German Institute for Resources and Technology (GMIT) and Nalaikh Polytechnic College, the Land Management Department, and the Nalaikh Department of Landscaping and City Services.

Bayan-Altai L. stated, “The uniqueness of our project lies in the active participation of local residents, young people, and children to amplify their voices for climate action. A training center will be set up on the reforestation site, allowing children to apply and experiment in real life. In addition to establishing an ecological club for students at Nalaikh Secondary School, we will collaborate with the university and the Polytechnic college in the district. We will also train 30 trainers to provide sustainable climate change and ecological education and raise awareness in Nalaikh District.”

Nalaikh District is one of the most polluted areas in winter, lacking green space and identified as having high soil pollution. Therefore, the “My Forest Child” project aims to create a forest grove on 5 hectares in Nalaikh District to increase green space. The project will also support community tree planting initiatives to improve ecological and climate change awareness and education for children.

During the event, Governor Ankhbayar Kh. emphasized, “The Nalaikh District is thrilled to work with Save the Children in mitigating and adapting to climate change. This project requires the active and participatory involvement of school leaders and students to enhance the ecological education of secondary school students and to establish an eco-cabinet to support students.”

Enkhsaruul B., Head of the Education Department of Nalaikh District, presented the district’s consolidated ecological club activities and shared their best experiences. These included eco club students participating in various initiatives, such as writing project proposals and securing funds from donor organizations. The enthusiasm and meaningful participation in environmental initiatives have provided us with a great deal of inspiration and motivation to implement the project.

Project Coordinator Batzaya Ts. highlighted, “My Forest Child” project will be implemented over three years starting in 2024. This will be the first climate-focused initiative by Save the Children in Mongolia. The project aims to create an afforestation site on 5 hectares with the active participation of children, youth, and citizens of Nalaikh District. It will focus on two main areas: increasing citizens’ awareness of climate change and improving their adaptability.

For more details about the project, please contact Project Coordinator Batzaya Ts. at  Batzaya.Tsegmid@savethechildren.org