Background

ADB cooperates with a broad range of civil society organizations (CSOs), including nongovernment organizations (NGOs), to strengthen its efforts to reduce poverty and increase the effectiveness, quality, and sustainability of its operations. Strategy 20301 states that while remaining a trusted development partner, ADB will promote dialogue and collaboration among diverse partners and stakeholders, including CSOs. Building on the strong track record of collaboration and partnerships, ADB aims to further strengthen coordination with other international financial institutions, bilateral partners, CSOs, and the private sector at the DMC level. Working with CSOs can promote linking their unique strengths with ADB, such as their local presence and specialized knowledge and create opportunities for increasing their involvement in the design and implementation of projects supported by ADB.

Partnering with CSOs is progressively part of how ADB operates across Asia and the Pacific. CSOs provide knowledge and expertise, give voice to disadvantaged communities, test innovative approaches to poverty reduction, gender equality and ensure that those impacted by development projects have a greater opportunity to get involved. Partnerships with groups and organizations that work at the grassroots level can help ADB reach some of the most vulnerable communities in the region.

Due to the lockdown brought about by the pandemic, cooperation with CSOs had slowed down, and had been put on hold in some cases. With the gradual opening of many countries, now is the right moment to promote CSO engagement, establish new partnerships and identify potential opportunities linked to the ADB’s operations. In this regard, Mongolia Resident Mission (MNRM) is interested to bring together CSOs, government, and ADB during a CSO Partnerships Day and have a meaningful way for exchange, gain better understanding of how CSOs can engage with ADB and learn about the future joint opportunities.

Purpose and Objectives

To enhance CSO engagement in Mongolia by organizing CSO Partnerships Day in Ulaanbaatar City and other provinces in Mongolia; explore opportunities for increasing CSOs involvement in ADB’s operations; and exchange ideas and find innovative ways of collaboration. The specific objectives of the CSO Partnerships Day are to:

1. Support GOM’s Vision 2050 policy and its initiatives to create more transparent and inclusive civic space
2. Create a platform for dialogue among CSOs, ADB and government (EAs and IAs) for more opportunities of establishing cooperation and partnerships
3. Build knowledge and understanding on how ADB works with CSOs and the cooperation mechanisms and processes;
4. Catalyze positive discussion for promoting ADB’s CSO work for sourcing new ideas and innovative ways of thinking;
5. Accelerate the engagement of MNRM’s existing CSO Advisory Committee; and
6. Expand ADB’s outreach to CSOs more broadly for potential engagement in ADB’s sector and thematic areas.
   

Description of activities

ADB Challenge