USAID/Mongolia :: Program Update :: Program Archives :: Growing Entrepreneurship Rapidly (GER) Initiative

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USAID/Mongolia
P.O. Box 1021
Ulaanbaatar-13
MONGOLIA
Phone: 976-11-312390
Fax: 976-11-310440
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Growing Entrepreneurship Rapidly (GER) Initiative

The purpose of the GER Initiative (2002-2005) is to develop and strengthen the economy of the peri-urban areas of four of the largest cities in Mongolia: Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan, Erdenet and Choibalsan. The overall program objectives are to increase the number of new and strengthened productive Ger area businesses, and an increase in employment in the Ger areas.

Details

Suren worked with the USAID-funded GER Initiative to find jobs for family members. Now she is working with GER Initiative business advisors to start a family business of her own. Photo: Khorolsuren Dalantai/GER Initiative

Location

The peri-urban ger areas around four of the largest cities in Mongolia: Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan, Erdenet and Choibalsan. Ger areas are long strips of fenced-in, unserviced housing plots that surround cities in Mongolia. Inside each high wooden fenced area are gers—traditional Mongolian tent dwellings—and/or owner-built houses that lack heat, water, and sanitation services. The project serves a total estimated peri-urban population of 570,000: 500,000 in Ulaanbaatar, 30,000 in Erdenet, and 20,000 each in Darkhan and Choibalsan.

Goal

To develop and strengthen the economy of the peri-urban areas of Mongolia.

Objectives

Increase in the number of productive ger area businesses
Increase employment in the ger areas

Funding Period

August 2002 – March 2009

Results

Helped create 98 new businesses
Strengthened 474 businesses
Generated 522 jobs
Partnered with 56 larger businesses to create employment and business linkages for peri-urban residents and microenterprises
Collaborated with key commercial banks to provide new loan products with lower interest rates to peri-urban enterprises
Facilitated 2,053 loans worth over US$1,916,000 to peri-urban microenterprises
Organized five trade fairs resulting in sales of more than $25,000
Created and assisted 95 business groups and associations
Matched 2,339 peri-urban residents to long-term job opportunities
Coordinated vocational training for 336 peri-urban residents.