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ANNUAL REPORT FOR NGO DEVELOPMENT CO-OPERATION PROJECT

YEAR 2008____ PROJECT CODE______ 75300701____________________

1. Hankkeen perustiedot

1. Basic information on the Project 1.1 Name of Organisation registered in Finland Suomen ylioppilaskuntien liitto SYL ry 1.2 Name of Organisation in English National Union of University Students in Finland 1.3 Name of Project in Finnish Kiertävät kirjastot ja koulutuskeskukset 1.4 Name of Project in English Travelling libraries and training centres (TL-TCs) 1.5 Name of Project in other relevant language 1.6 Location of Project (country, province, village/community) Mongolia, 3 aimags (provinces): Tov, Arkhangai, Dornod. 1.7 Name of co-operation Partner Information, Education and Communication Centre IEC 1.8 Planned initiation and termination dates of the Project January 2007- December 2009. 1.9 Summary of the core idea of the Project and the key results and impacts achieved

(see Project plan, 1.11.) For vocabulary see point 7

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The objective of the project is to provide an improved non-governmental mobile library and training service (TL-TC) in Tuv, Arkhangai and Dornod aimags. During 2008 there have been 13 163 users in the libraries and 11878 participants in the trainings provided by TL-TCs. 4417 books have been bought for the libraries and through TL-TCs wide marketing it has became more known within its target beneficiaries. During the reporting year the travelling libraries-training centres visited 55 soums (municipalities). There have been 158 trainings organized in civic education, vocational training and small business. The impact of the project can be seen in the small change of behaviour of the people who have participated in the trainings and used the libraries´ services. The citizens who have participated in trainings have been establishing community groups for generating income, protection of environment, repairing old wells, preventing desertification and supporting rotational grazing. The bagh (village) community trainings encourage people to be more active in every day life and they have started to participate more in bagh citizens´meetings. 1.10 Financing summary

Year ____2008______ Euro s

Project support not used in the previous year (incl. not withdrawn + withdrawn unused funds)

Support approved for the reporting year 44 687

Total Project support available for the reporting year 44 687

Total Project support used during the reporting year 44 381,48

Funds not used, transferred to be used and reported in the following year

(incl. not withdrawn + withdrawn unused funds)

305,52

1.11 Other financing of the Project during the reporting year, if any.

Please state here the amount and source of this financing. 1. Support of project against violence in Tuv aimag supported by Citizens Alliance, National Centre against Violence, Human Rights Commission (1100 euros) 2. Juridical consultation for women supported by Swiss private persons (6000 euros) 3. Book donation from Switzerland (approx. 500 euros) 4. Support for community groups by Global Environmental Facility´s Small Grant Programs, UNDP (5 500 euros) 5. Support in Arkhangai aimag for the librarian´s education, internet and phone costs, computer, printer, helping with developing curricula, supporting small projects developed together with other NGOs and community groups by Mercy Corps (3340 euros)

2. Co-operation Partner and co-operation procedure 2.1 How did the co-operation Partner participate in the implementation of the Project?

(e.g. Did they provide labour, economic resources, other assets?)

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IEC provided the project with computers, a printer and a copying machine. IEC´s employees implemented all project activities. Their main activities were to carry out summer travel with gers (Mongolian housing tent, jurtta), to advertise and organize events and trainings. They also took care of the book exchange, and looked for new partners to widen the circulation. They kept records of the users of library services and collected feedback from participants of the trainings. 2.2 Were there other parties involved in the co-operation (e.g. Finnish, local or international

organisations or officials)? Please describe their role and involvement in the Project. Cooperation with administration was most of the time fluent. According to the co-operation contracts with Tuv and Arkhangai aimags, administrators invited TL-TCs to participate in their programs and events to distribute information. The Citizens' Representatives Assembly in Arkhangai is IEC's best partner on distributing information and collecting feedback from citizens. In all aimags TL-TCs’ managers also met with new governors and administrative personnel in order to guarantee the continuity of the collaboration. In many occasions the administrative personnel took part in and helped with organizing TL-TC's own events, they also used TL-TCs' library services actively. Direct support from public administration was given by Arkhangai’s Gurvantamir College and Tuv aimag’s 5th school, which gave TL-TCs office rooms for free of charge to be used as TL-TC libraries. They also provided electricity and heating costs. In order to widen the variety of its books, TL-TCs exchange books with the library of the Cultural Centre of Mongolia, the library of the Culture and Education office, school and public libraries in aimags and soums and with the local branches of World Vision and Save the Children. Some people also donated books, magazines and newspapers to TL-TCs. In many soums books and newspapers were distributed to shops, hairdressers' salons and market stands. TL-TCs organized most of its activities (such as trainings, discussions, forums, competitions) in collaboration with the following organizations: - Administration of aimags and soums - School and public libraries (book exchange, sometimes TL-TCs use class rooms for activities) - Day-care centres (TL-TCs organize different activities, such as drawing competitions, drama plays, reading the children books, tales. etc) - Local NGOs (on the initiative of TL-TCs a local NGO network was established, a local network against violence against women and children was established, fund raising and organizing activities together, for example, TL-TCs in Arkhangai helped 5 NGOs to receive support from the Mercy Corp, TL-TC in Dornod found support for an orphanage, support for community groups, such as the herders or children´s councils) - Mongolian National Library (consultation, book donation) - "Mongol cinema" ("Mongol kino") union - CAC studio (contract on purchasing movies to TL-TCs) - "Mongol potato" state program (books for TL-TCs were bought, trainers were invited to Tuv aimag’s Family farmers conference) - Labor and Social Care departments of aimags (TL-TCs were invited to organize business trainings: Arkhangai once, Tuv once and Dornod twice) - Health departments of aimags were invited to our events for participating, giving information - Medical centres of aimags were invited to our events for participating, giving information - Centres for Vocational training and production in aimags (book exchange, using the rooms for activities) - FM 106.5 station (marketing, broadcasting TL-TC´s programme on news, new books, human and children´s rights) - Local TV station in Zuunmod, Tuc aimag (marketing, broadcasting TL-TC´s on news, new books, human and children´s rights) - Kherlen soum’s private TV, Dornod aimag (marketing) - Business incubator in Arkhangai and Dornod (organizing trainings together)

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- Trade union in Tuv aimag (member of the local network against violence) - Tan-Mercy Corp (TL-TC in Arkhangai is a partner organization for TAN) - Sport committee of Tuv aimag (the first library room is located there, organizing together the IEC’s annual dame competition) - Children organizations in Tuv aimag (announcing and organizing competitions among chidren) - Union of senior teachers (buying books for TL-TC, participation in our activities) - National Centre against violence (trainings, information dissemination, consultation to victims) - World Vision (book exchange, providing food for Shelter house in Tuv aimag, is which our second librarian works volunterarely as social worker) - ADRA (purchased seeds) - The Global Environment Facility’s Small Grant Programme, UNDP (information dissemination, support of community groups, children’s counsels)

3. Sustainability of the Project 3.1 How did predictable or unprecedented external factors affect the implementation of the Project?

(economic, social, environmental or cultural factors) The highly increased prices (petroleum, services, food, water, electricity) complicated the implementation of all the activities planned. The inflation rate in Mongolia in 2008 was around 32%. The increased costs made the salaries paid in the project insufficient. This needs to be taken into consideration for the year 2009. Year 2008 was election year in Mongolia. It was harder to get people in the countryside to come to the libraries because they wanted to stay home and wait for the people campaigning to come and visit them and bring them gifts. There was also a quarantine caused by an enter virus could epidemic. During the quarantine trainings were prohibited. A lot of families that participated in the vegetable training course harvested bad potatoes. Some of the reasons for bad harvest are unknown. One of the reasons was inadequate watering. 3.2 How has the local government, local organisation or the beneficiaries themselves taken

responsibility for the economic sustainability and continuation of the Project? Local administration helped to circulate books to soums and within soums. They also informed residents about TL-TC activities, helped with settlement of gers, organized transport to herders' communities and provided electricity especially in Arkhangai and Tuv. In Dornod and Arkhangai aimag´s Citizens´representatives Khurals provided Tl.TC´s with all the orders, decisions and meeting minutes of aimag administration. All governors in Tuv aimag paid transportation costs either from baghs to baghs, or from the last bagh to the next soum. All the governors in Tuv aimag, and some in Arkhangai and Dornod aimags helped with circulating the books. Users of the libraries and participants of the trainings and other events helped by spreading information about TL-TC's and trainings. Participants brought yellow water left from the soured milk to milk training. They also provided quilting training with sewing machines, needles, threads and scissors. Children and youth helped to repair damaged books.

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4. Beneficiaries 4.1 Who were the direct beneficiaries of the Project, and how many were there? - Library users in Aimag Centres o Zuunmod (Tuv): 5017 o Choibalsan (Dornod): 1254 o Tsetserleg (Arkhangai): 1728 - Users of Travelling Library o Tuv: 1781 o Dornod: 1422 o Arkhangai: 1961 In total there were 13 163 readers of which 25.5% male 74.5% female 34.5% children 61.3% people of middle age 4.2% old people Besides the borrowing users many people came to read books and magazines in the libraries. The amount of users declined slightly compared with year 2007 (13 478). - Participants in trainings - Tuv: 2117 (733 male and 1384 female) - Dornod: 985 (342/643) - Arkhangai: 8776 (2042/6734) There were 158 trainings organized on vocational skills, small business and civic education. There were in total 11878 participants (3117 male and 8761 female). The number on participants has increased highly compared with last year (1755 in 2007). The sharp increase in partly due to a big hygiene training which had 7130 participants. 4.2 Who were the indirect beneficiaries of the Project? Indirect beneficiaries were the families of library users and training participants. Other indirect beneficiaries were the employees of the project and their families and IEC as an organization. Also local administration involved in the project was indirect beneficiary of the project. If the project support granted was less than 20.000 €, please answer the following question: 4.3 How did the beneficiaries participate in the Project?

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If the project support granted was 20.000 € or more , please answer the following question: 4.4 Please specify the way in which each group of beneficiaries participated in the Project. Library users and participant of trainings The library users and participants of trainings helped to inform about the arriving TL-TCs and trainings. Participants brought some materials to the trainings (for example whey). Children and youth helped to repair the books. The library users and participants also gave feedback and presented wishes for books to purchase and ways to improve trainings as well as general implementation of the project. Employees of Information, Education and Communicati on Centre IEC o Management, coordination of all project activities, o Responsibility for accounting and monitoring of activities and finance, reports. o Connection to different organizations and persons for supporting TL-TCs. o Purchasing books, training materials, gers, equipment needed. o Developing agenda, curriculas of trainings, handouts, training materials. o Translation of English and German materials into Mongolian for newsletters and handouts, manuals. o Organizing trainings together and separately from TL-TCs. o Finding donators, partners. Local administration Local administrations helped to circulate books and helped to inform about the activities. Local administration also helped with getting rooms and in the settlement of gers and also with transportation to herders´ communities and electricity connections especially in Arkhangai and Tuv. All governors in Tuv aimag took part in transportation costs. In Dornod and Arkhangai Aimag’s Citizens representatives Khurals gave orders, decisions, meeting minutes to TL-TCs for the purpose of people reaching these documents and monitoring the local budget.

5. Project objective, implementation and monitoring OBJECTIVE 5.1 Has the objective(s) of the Project remained the same as in the original Project plan? If they have

changed, please describe how. The objectives have remained the same. Long term objective: To reduce the negative impacts of poverty in the region of Tov, Arkhangai and Dornod aimags in Mongolia. Direct objective: Provide an improved library and training service in Tov, Arkhangai and Dornod aimags.

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IMPLEMENTATION 5.2 Have the objectives of the Project been implemented by the activities as mentioned in the Action

Plan? If the activities are different from the original plan, please state the reason for the change and the nature of the current plan of action. Has the Project proceeded according to the original timetable?

The project consists of two parts: 1. Expanded and improved Travelling Libraries’ services, 2. Expanded and improved Training Centres. The project has been implemented by the activities described in the project plan with some adjustments. In addition to the activities described in detail in the project plan a great variety of different activities has also been implemented. These activities also support the objectives of the project and they are described in detail according to each aimag.in appendix 1. 1. Expanding and improving the Travelling Libraries ´ services In the original plan the idea was that the travelling libraries would travel in their distinctive aimags from May to October. This period has proved to be too long for the year 2008 especially due to the increased costs of petroleum. Other reasons for shortening the summer travel were the elections in Mongolia, the quarantine because of an epidemic and the delay in financing the project. Due to these reasons the summer travel was then limited to only from June to July. But for implementing the planned activities TL-TCs used the Mongolian officials´ trips to soums during the latter part of the year. As a result, TL-TCs visited more places than planned. From October to May the libraries operated in the aimag capitals as planned, in rooms rented from or provided by the local government. Library material was also circulated in small lockable boxes among the remote communities and nomadic families during the whole year. The three new librarians recruited in 2007 acted both as librarians and trainers in the trainings organized by the TL-TCs. The new librarian in Dornod aimag was replaced by another worker due to his poor performance. Activities in detail: * Circulation of books and information material in bo xes within each aimag by civil servants -This was done according to the plan * Increasing the number of soums TL-TCs visit from 10 to 20 (May - October) -The soums visited in 2008 were altogether 55 * Purchase of more books, magazines and newspapers fo r the Travelling Libraries -In 2008 4417 books were bought * Marketing of the TL-TCs among the aimag population -Due to increased costs the planned TV programme was not done. The activities by which TL-TCs were marketed: Interview in newspaper “Arkhangai’s life” on TL-TC’s activities and co-operation between government and CSOs. The permanent IEC’s programs (Arkhangai’s Tamir television) on news, activities (5-10 minutes). Marketing of TL-TC’s activities at the 2, 3, 7, 9th baghs meetings (215 people) in Dornod. Announcing TL-TC’s activities through Kherlen soum (Dornod) private TV, FM station (3 times). Announcing TL-TC’s trainings through Zuunmod TV, Zuunmod FM station (8 times). Marketing through Arkhangai aimag’s women’s event Mongoljin, Tuv aimag’s Physics Olimpiad and Tuv aimag’s Domino Competition. Marketing through IEC’s newsletter “Amar baina uu” (Greetings) Marketing through Tuv aimag’s network “Struggle against violence against women” and Dornod’s network “Against violence against women and children” founded by initiative of TL-TCs together with governmental and non-governmental institutions. Marketing by awarding people with special IEC certificates.

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Together with Mongolian National Library and “Mongol cinema” union IEC organized press conference which was broadcasted through national-wide televisions and written in news of daily newspapers. For the 8 years anniversary of TL-TCs they reported briefly about activities, co-operation with different organizations, donors, achievements and new plans. In all aimags TL-TCs announced about summer travel, trainings through LEOS members, local administrations, Citizens Representatives Assemblies and cultural centres. In some places the announces were broadcasted through local televisions. For posters TL-TCs used doors and windows in shops and pubs. * Recruitment of one new librarian per aimag, total o f three persons (done in 2007) * Training of new librarians (done in 2007) * Purchase of more book boxes (done in 2007) * Purchase one nomadic ger per aimag with equipments, total of 3 gers (done in 2007) * Further education of all librarians -Education for librarians was organized. * Trucks hired to move TL-TC gers and materials (May - October) . -SYL has provided additional support (10 413 euros) for IEC for buying trucks for the project. This extra support money from SYL has also been taken into account in the audit report received from Mongolia. 2. Expanding and improving the Training Centres The Training Centres have been developed to informal travelling training centres providing short term professional skills training courses. The aim of skills training is to provide new means of self sufficiency and food security. The curriculum has been expanded from the existing short civic education trainings to include vocational skills training and small business training (also included in vocational skills trainings). Trainings have been conducted the whole year: summertime travelling in the TL-TCs gers in countryside soums and in wintertime in aimag capital libraries and travelling without own ger using communities’ settled gers. The amount of participants in the trainings increased highly, from 1755 in 2007 to 11878 in 2008. Although one important explanation for this increase was a major hygiene training which had 7130 participants (mainly pupils, NGO activists and monks). Activities included in all trainings in detail: * Preparing schedule -This was done by the Manager in the central office and the Managers in aimags. * Surveying educational needs in every 3 aimags -This was done by interviewing the people. * Recruitment of trainers -This was done by the IEC Manager and the TL-TC Managers in aimags * Training of trainers -TL-TC´s own workers are now more skilled to conduct more trainings by themselves. * Preparing curricula -This was done by the Manager in the central office and the Managers in aimags. * Purchasing training materials -A full equipment for two separators was bought. Also 20 shovels and 5 milk containers were purchased. * Development of learning materials (paper and video) -Different materials for trainings include the titles: 1. Decoration trees 2. Potato illnesses 3. Change of mind 4. Coming to groups 6. Group promoters 7. Poor and their money 8. Saving and credit unions (different for people, who establish the union and for people, who want to become a member) * Providing feedback and follow up mechanism -In Arkhangai aimag a test for testing the knowledge of participants before and after trainings has been developed and used. The same test has been used to smaller extent also in Dornod and Tuv. * Marketing of trainings

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-see "* Marketing of the TL-TCs among the aimag population" above * Organizing the training. -A complete list of all the trainings organized in 2008 can be found in the appendix 2. If the project support granted was less than 20.000 €, please answer the following question: 5.3 Please estimate how and how successfully the objectives of the Project have been achieved from

the beginning of the Project and during the reporting year. If the project support granted was 20.000 € or more , please answer the following question: 5.4 Please describe the results that have been achieved since the beginning of the Project and during

the reporting year. According to the project plan the results targeted by the project are: Expanded and improved Travelling Libraries’ services provide knowledge and information - better resourced libraries - number of soums visited doubled - 1/4 higher instance of use in all three aimags Expanded and improved Training Centres provide skills, small business and civic education training - number of soums where training are held doubled - TC managers able to organize trainings on wider variety of topics - trained people use learned skills - learning material produced - trained people are satisfied with the trainings As can be seen from the activities described in 5.2, all these targeted results have been achieved fairly well. In addition to these results more profound and less tangible changes have also been achieved. From the beginning of the project TL-TCs have expanded their capacity and increased their activities. TL-TCs have began to work in a new level. Before they served rural people, especially nomads with library services and on the educational front concentrated on civic education. Now they work more on helping people to generate income, to establish business, to co-operate, to save money, etc. In 2008 158 trainings were organized. The number of readers decreased from 13478 in 2007 to 13163 in 2008, the number of training participants increased from 1755 in 2007 to 11878 in 2008. One reason for the increase was a big hygiene training which had 7130 participants. In total in 2008 there were 25041 direct beneficiries (15233 in 2007). In total IEC has now 8 staff members (in 2007 there were 5): 2 women at the central office, 2 women in Dornod, 2 women in Tuv aimag and 1 woman and 1 man in Arkhangai aimag. All 6 staff members in aimags work as librarians and trainers. The recruitment of more staff in 2007 and organizing training for them has increased IEC´s capacity. Citizens who participated in trainings have been establishing community groups for generating income, protection of environment, repairing old wells, preventing desertification and supporting rotational grazing. As a result of trainings and dissemination of information on business and issues related to people’s life, TL-TCs are getting more known and wider popular. People are getting more active in business and start to look for information and to cooperate with each other. Bagh community trainings encourage people to be more active in every day life. More people participate in bagh citizens meetings, demand reports from the governors, their representatives in Citizens’ representatives assembly and raise the importantance of the community life issues.

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As a result of trainings and discussions people have started to look more intensively for jobs, to establish family businesses and search for possibilities to study. This year behaviour of governors at the different levels and civil servants trying to be selected was different. This is also somehow result of TL-TCs work to influence the people. TL-TCs do not critize the administration, or argue with the ardent supporters but they try to push people to define themselves community needs, family needs, which services are excellent, which are to to improved and which should be established. It is very important that people understand to come and take part to soum and bagh citizens´ meetings and find out what is done in their community and discuss what should be done. People participating in TL-TCs trainings are better equipped to participate in the meetings and contribute to their community´s and their own lives. If the project support granted was less than 20.000 €, please answer the following question: 5.5 How did the separation of responsibilities in the implementation of the Project work? If the project support granted was 20.000 € or more , please answer the question: 5.6 Describe the implementation and monitoring procedure of the Project and the responsibility of each

party therein.

Board Monitoring committee

Manager IEC

Assistant/Accountant

Manager, Tov Manager, Arkhangai Manager, Dornod

Librarian/trainer Librarian/trainer Librarian/trainer

trainers

IEC Board was responsible of implementation of the project by making decisions on plans and monitoring TL-TCs reports and feedbacks. In addition to meetings the members were also consulted by phone or emails by the IEC Manager.

Board members:

1. Ms. Ch. Nadmid, chairperson, Chairperson of the “Sain Noenkhaan” foundation 2. Ms. Ch. Gankhuyag, member, director of the construction company “Ikh ordon” 3. Ms. G. Erdenechimeg, member, Chief-manager of the “Petrovis”, LLC 4. Mr. R. Barsbold, member, Director of the Academy of Geology 5. Ms. P. Odonchimeg, member responsible for executive board of the IEC, director

Monitoring committee was responsible of monitoring the implementation of the project. The committee monitored activities and financing two times in 2008 and visited three meeting of the Board.

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Committee members:

- C. Bayarbilig, tax inspector

- D. Bayarkhuu, LEOS member

- Ts. Tsagaankhuu, engineer

IEC Manager implemented the board decisions and reported to the board and monitoring committee. Two staff member at the central office were responsible for project activities´ execution, making plans, correction, connection, marketing, receiving reports, feedbacks, developing agendas, training materials, manuals, financial transactions, accounting, preparing narrative and financial reports, calling the Board meetings and raising funds.

Aimag Managers and Librarians/Trainers were responsible of executing project activities in the aimag level and reporting of them to the central office.

MONITORING 5.7 How did the responsible persons in the Finnish organisation follow the implementation of the

Project and the use of financial resources? How did they participate in the implementation themselves?

Development cooperation coordinators in SYL (until the end of August Teemu Sokka and from then on Anni Vihriälä) have kept in touch with the IEC manager Odonchimeg by email, text messages and Skype conferences. Coordinators have reported both to SYL´s board and to SYL´s advisory board of development cooperation (KENKKU), formed by voluntary development cooperation specialists from students´ unions. The project has been discussed in detail in KENKKU´s monthly meetings, by emails and also in KENKKU`s Mongolia group meetings. IEC provides SYL coordinator and KENKKU with annual and quarterly narrative and financial reports. The financial report form is made by SYL and it follows the Ministry of Foreign Affairs´ form for financial reporting. In October Anni Vihriälä and Saila Tykkyläinen, a member of KENKKU, visited Mongolia in order to monitor the project. During the monitoring trip a field trip to Tuv aimag was carried out and all the coordinators in aimags and the board was met. During the trip it became evident that although there were some difficulties in the cooperation during the reporting year, there is a great need for the kind of services that TL-TCs provide and that the beneficiaries felt satisfied with the service. 5.8 How did the local co-operation partners follow the implementation of the Project? IEC monitored the implementation of the project through keeping records of readers and training participants, collecting feedback, communicating with partner organizations and interviewing beneficiaries. Arkhangai's manager has also developed a questionnaire for training, with which a possible progress in participant's skills can be estimated. All the aimag coordinators provide the project manager with quarterly reports from the field. The project manager also visits the aimags regularly. The project manager reports the implemented activities and finances to the board and the monitoring committee. During the reporting year the monitoring committee monitored activities and financing two times and visited three meetings of the board.

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5.9 What kind of qualitative or quantitative data was collected on the advancement of the Project? 1. Travelling Libraries - Number of books borrowed: Aimag library Travelling library Books sent in boxes Arkhangai 1928 342 116 Tuv 3819 2329 521 Dornod 1754 622 288 - Topics of the new books Subjects: Subscription of daily and weekly newspapers, newsletters for children, literature for adults, tales and stories for children, Government rules, Biointensive vegetable growing, Basics of agriculture, The third agriculture program of Mongolian government, Misfortune of country reach with national resources, Technology for collecting and protecting the water, ABC of family business, Information for migrants, Mongolian Development report, Philosophy of Buddhism, Election problems in Mongolia, How can women win election, Election PR, Mongolian public libraries report (Year 2005, 2006), Potato, Use of beers, decorative trees and bushes for gardening, growing grasses, Old recipes of medicine, Accounting, Family values (serial), Politics, Real leadership, Legal basics of business, Legal acts on health, The current situation of domestic violence and needs of victims, Handicrafts, literature for children, Family farmers, Advices to develop business plan on growing bees, Legal acts on environment, Corruption in countries, Mongolia’s situation on Human rights and freedom, A role of government in agriculture, Monitoring of the government’s service, Contribution to a sustainable development of electricity sector of Mongolia etc. - Number of boxes purchased: None (the boxes were bought in 2007) - Number, gender and age of readers: 13163 (25.5% male, 74.5% female; 34.5% children, 61.3% people of middle age, 4.2% old people) - Topics of books borrowed and read: the most popular items were newspapers, children’s literature and information on business. - Visited soums: 55 - Kilometres travelled: about 12862 km - Number of trucks hired: 2 - The quality and relevance of training according to the feedback, interviews and observations made by TL-TC's workers: Excellent - Number of the pieces of equipment purchased: full equipment for 2 separators, 20 shovels and 5 milk containers. 2. Training Centres A. Statistics - Number of trainings and courses held: 158 - Number of people participated in the courses: 11878 - Proportion of women of the participants: 73.8% - Age of the participants: in average 40-45 years - Number of learning material available per student: In some courses everybody received their own material, while in some cases three to five people shared training material - Information on trainers (educational background, sex etc.): All except librarian-trainer in Arkhangai were women, all were certified trainers. B. Feedback - Participants' opinions on the quality and relevance of the training based on feedback and interviews. Small business training * Training on marketing was seen useful, for example the importance of realizing market-research before starting with production was new to many.

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* Developing business plans with participants was seen important, it made many plan more realistic and functional. Problem was that some participants wanted to receive ready-made business plans just to modify them a bit, some asked trainers to develop plans for them. Vocational skills training * Participant became more self-sufficient, since they are now able to make for example linen and other goods for their households, and thus save money. * Practical training on handicrafts gave people feeling that they have possibilities to generate income by selling their products. * There were many unemployed people taking part in these courses. Training taught them to make small souvenirs and earn some money. * There were people who had already participated in vocational training, but were complaining that they could not use the knowledge and business skills because of the lack of money. In general people are very interested in vocational training, but often poverty forms an obstacle to use the skills learnt in training. Vegetable growing and chicken breeding * People who participated in vegetable training and received seeds were satisfied with them, since in training they got information about soil, seeds and watering. They also gained technical skills and received consultation on the spot. Unfortunately TL-TCs could give consultation only to few participants. * People who were given pieces of advice on the field or who took part in course titled “How to get rid of weeds” said the information provided was helpful. During the training on the field they learnt for example how to fight insects. * Chicken breeding was seen as an option also for poorer and unemployed people; at the very least it can give them some level of self-sufficiency. Civic education * Theoretically many people seem to know their rights, the problem is how to realize and defence them. * Children who participated in “My constitution, my rights” were astonished that laws and regulations have so much influence on their lives. Also the participatory method used in training was new for children. General feedback * Because many employees have to work from morning until night, they have very little possibilities to attend to trainings and to receive information. The TL-TCs’ activities fill out these gaps by offering library and training services also during weekends. * The possibility to read newspapers and books, to attend useful training and to have accurate information about rights free of charge is a great opportunity. * For women it is both useful and relaxing to use 1-2 days per month for enhancing their skills. * Both the users of library services and the training participants ask TL-TCs to organize events and courses encouraging people to be active in their lives. * It was stated that the activities run by TL-TCs are becoming rarer and rarer in today´s Mongolia. 5.10 How has the Project budget been realised? If the realised costs in one or more of the budget

sections differ by 15 % from the planned costs, please explain here. The Project budget has been realized as planned, the realised costs in Mongolia do not differ more than 15 % in any of the sections. However, the following adjustments were made: 1. Because of an error in calculation of summer travel allowances, SYL and IEC agreed to not broadcast TV program. 2. The price of the petroleum was in increase. IEC also had to do unscheduled visits to soums in Tuv aimag on people’s request to define soil and to reorganize training on business plans and vegetable

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growing. Because of the increased price and the visits, the travelling costs met with the budget although the summer travel was shorter than planned. 3. Due to inflation rate around 30%, the IEC's expenditure on telephone bills, electricity and petroleum rose. 4. More money as budgeted was used on learning materials. This was mainly because of preparing a special issue for "Greetings" to be used in the vegetable training. Also the marketing costs were a bit higher because of additional material produced for marketing. 5. 300 euros were not used during the monitoring trip. This amount has been used in 2009 for audit costs for 2008 as agreed with the Ministry. 5.11 Where and how were the accounting and audit of the Project arranged? The audit was carried out in Mongolia by Azurit Audit Company Ulaanbaatar, Chingeltei district, Puma building, section 12A, #04 Phone: 99098727 e-mail: gantuya@cpa.mn The report received from the auditor of Azurit Audit Company did not meet with SYL´s criteria for a report that could be approved. Therefore a decision was made to contract a new audit company to do a new audit for the year 2008. This was financed partly with the money left from the monitoring trip in 2008 (300 euros) as agreed with the Ministry and the missing amount was provided by SYL. Panthere Midland Audit company is one of the 6 companies in the list of approved audit firms for Mongolia published by USAID. (http://www.usaid.gov/oig/public/mcc/resources/mcc_list_of_approved_audit_firms_for_mongolia.pdf) Panthere Midland Audit LLC Gurvan Gal Office Centre, 4th floor-Suite 404 Chinggis Khaan Avenue 614 Sukhbaatar District Ulaanbaatar Phone: +976 11 319836, Fax: +976 11 319836 email:pantheremidland@gmail.com Internet: www.pantheremidland.mn 5.12 Has the organisation carried out an evaluation of the Project during the reporting year?

If so, please state here the findings in brief. Please also attach the evaluation report. The IEC's monitoring committee together with the board watched over the use of the project funds. The committee monitored activities and financing two times in 2008 and visited three IEC board meetings. 5.13. How has the organization informed of the Project? Give details on the target groups, information

material and distribution channels. The members of KENKKU inform about the project in their own universities. SYL also has a mailing list for all the university students interested in development cooperation issues and information about the project can also be found in the internet on SYL`s development cooperation webpage.

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6. Lessons learned and the continuation of the Proj ect 6.1 Describe the nature of problems encountered during the Project and the attempts to sove them.

(e.g. in reaching the beneficiaries, working to keep to the timetable and other risks not included in 3.7)

One problem encountered during 2008 was the increased living costs in Mongolia, which influenced the implementation of the project. IEC staff members see especially the rising petroleum costs and the low wage level of the employees as a considerable handicap even though they are very motivated by the project. The demand to increase salaries has been taken into account for the budget for 2009. IEC had also bought a flat instead of having to pay a rent for it (as written in the project plan) and thus increasing their sustainability. However, SYL was not notified of this in advance. Therefore after consultations on the matter with the Ministry the office flat was sold and IEC returned to rent the flat. One problem in the field is in the relationship between TL-TC Dornod and the local administration. Compared with the other two aimags, the administration is less supportive of the project. The administration has not been too satisfied with the fact that TL-TCs are distributing the governors´decrees and Citizens Representatives Assamblies´ resolutions to the citizens. 6.2 Describe the next stages of the implementation of the Project. Year 2009 is the last year of this project. The project will continue in 2009 with the same objectives as planned. Besides focusing on the implementation of the project a special emphasis is also been put on the communication and cooperation between the partner organizations. SYL is applying for two years’ support for continuing the project and phasing out as the financing organization of IEC. Despite the hardships faced during 2008 trust between the partners has been restored and SYL is convinced of the project´s results for its beneficiaries.

7. Free-form description of the Project and its ope ration (optional: if the other questions in this form are not suitable or sufficient to describe the Project, please use this space to give additional information.)

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VOCABULARY Aimag= province Soum= municipality Bagh= village Ger= Mongolian housing tent (jurtta)

8. Project costs and financing Project costs Approved Project

budget Cost performance

1. Personnel costs (Appendix 1)

Salaries and related costs of the Finnish personnel 0 0,00

Travel and accommodation of the Finnish personnel 0 0,00

Salaries and related of the local personnel 12 960 10 681,46

Other personnel costs 1 217 4 753,96

Value of Finnish voluntary work 0 0,00 Personnel costs, subtotal 14 177 15 435,42

2. Activity costs (e.g. training) (Appendix 2)

Fees of hired experts 4 856 3 546,14

Other costs 11 041 10 619,78 Activity costs, subtotal 15 897 14 165,92

3. Materials, procurements and investments (Appendi x 3)

Procurement of materials and appliances 311 338,03

Construction 0 0,00

Other procurements 420 419,88

Value of donated goods 0 0,00 Materials, procurements and investments, subtotal 746 757,91

4. Operation and maintenance (Appendix 4)

Operation costs 6 283 6 716,60

Maintenance costs 0 0,00 Operation and maintenance, subtotal 6 283 6 716,60

5. Monitoring, evaluation, and information (Appendi x 5)

External services (incl. experts) 4 589 5 007,28

Travel and accommodation 5 270 5 104,76

Other costs 0 0,00

Information costs (max. 5 % of total project costs) 9 859 10 112,04

Monitoring, evaluation, and information, subtotal

TOTAL IMPLEMENTATION COSTS 46 961,89 47 187,89

6. Administrative costs (Appendix 6)

Salaries and related costs of administrative personnel 4 800 5 213,25

Office costs 456 23,50

Statutory audit costs of the Finnish organisation 0 0,00

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Fund-raising 0 0,00

Value of Finnish voluntary work in administration 0,00 Total administrative costs 5 256 5 236,75

TOTAL PROJECT COSTS 52 694 52 424,64

Administrative costs as a % of total costs (max. 10 %) 9,97

9,99

Project financing Approved Project

Budget Cost performance

1. Self-financing (Appendix 7)

Cash contributions 3 950 3 936,00

Voluntary work and material donations 3 950 3 936,00 Total self-financing 7 900 7 872,00

Self-financing as a % of the total costs 15 15,02

2. Project support from the Ministry for Foreign Af fairs

Support transferred from prior years

Support available for and used during the reporting year 44687 44 381,48

TOTAL FINANCING

52 587

52 229,48

9. Signatures Place and date Place and date Signature Signature Name in Capitals Name in Capitals Position Position

❏ Copy of the co-operation agreement between organisations (if it was not attached to the Project

plan)

❏ Report of the Board of Directors

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❏ Financial Statement of the organisation

(= income statement, balance sheet, notes to the financial statement)

❏ Audit report on the organisation's annual financial statements

❏ Auditor's assurance on the legal use of the Project funds

❏ Appendix 1: Other project activities

Appendix 2: Trainings