Module 11 - Mongolia: Sustaining Livelihoods in Areas with High Natural Disaster Risk

Benefits and Impacts

The Mongolia Sustainable Livelihoods project began in 2003, so outcomes have not yet been measured. Experiences during planning, design, and initial implementation have, however, indicated a number of expected benefits, including poverty reduction through pasture land management. Reducing poverty by addressing livestock and grazing land management presents an opportunity to shift from simply managing poverty (by providing welfare services) to reducing poverty (by fostering the emergence of secure and sustainable livelihoods).

Lessons Learned and Issues for Wider Applicability

The Mongolia project is designed as a pilot for scaling up in other areas; its flexible policy framework has wider application in the context of an adaptable program loan. The numerous advantages of managing sustainable livelihoods via community-driven development can be applied broadly, as its tools allow for better targeting of poverty reduction programs, and the community-driven approach is especially useful where welfare approaches have not worked. Decentralization is critical, and there is a growing need to support institutional frameworks through which this can take place.