Rural Women Leading Climate Actions

Mongolia faces severe climate challenges affecting pastoral livelihoods, including desertification and frequent natural disasters. Increasing livestock numbers accelerate land degradation. In Arkhangai province, women herders are adapting traditional practices to navigate climate change and achieve financial independence.

Supported by the IKI Small Grants programme, the Mongolian Women’s Fund (MONES) trained herders on sustainable livestock management and pasture use, cooperative development, and climate adaptation. The project empowered women to take leadership roles in cooperatives and participate in community decision-making.

As a result, participating herders improved the quality and yield of livestock products, adopted sustainable livestock management practices, and applied animal-friendly, hygienic standards. Notably, two cooperatives -comprising 103 households – earned the “Responsible Nomads” certification, enabling them to establish direct supply agreements with major national companies, thereby increasing their income sources.