The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development/European Union project “Support to Mongolian Economic Diversification through SME Access to Finance - Building Effective Business Membership Organisations in Mongolia 2017-2019”, which supports 12 Business Membership Organisations from various sectors, is coming to an end with a closing conference and awarding ceremony on April 19, 2019.
For well over 16 months, EBRD – with funding from the European Union – and its consulting and training partners have been supporting 12 Business Membership Organisations with together over 1000 members. The initiative aimed at strengthening the business associations and secure their sustainability in order support their members (mainly SME) now and in future. The support measures
included conferences, workshops for BMO staff and leadership, individual coaching, matching services and webinars.
More than 150 participants from associations attended 10 workshops implemented by the Consortium APPLICATIO/ICON (APPLICATIO Training & Management GmbH (www.applicatio.com) and ICON Institute (www.icon-institute.de)), and more than 700 coaching days were implemented by Mongolian experts and international coaches to ensure that associations grow in terms of paying members and financial figures and develop and implement new services for members.
As a result of the initiative, paying membership on average grew by well over 80%, almost all partners could improve their financial situation and well over 30 new services are offered by the partners of the programme. This forms a strong base for future, sustainable support of SME and thus economic development in Mongolia.
During the closing conference all BMO will report on their successes and give feedback on the programme. In addition, the best performing BMOs will be awarded prices – such as IT-equipment or consulting vouchers - that support their future work. In addition, all partners will be certified by EBRD and the European Union for their successful participation.
It might be a long way to support economic development by ensuring that Mongolian associations can support their members SMEs. A long but a sustainable and successful way!

Published Date:2019-04-18