With the support of the Government of Canada’s Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), Development Solutions NGO successfully organized the launch event of the project “Advancing Disability-Smart Management in SMEs” today.

🎯 Project goals:
The main goal of the project is to foster the development of Mongolian small and medium-sized enterprises into organizations with smart management practices that promote inclusive environments and decent employment for persons with disabilities.

Through this approach, the project aims to bring tangible improvements to the working environment of persons with disabilities, their caregivers, and assistants, while contributing meaningfully to the development of the Purple Economy and Care Economy in Mongolia.

📍 Application area:

• Chingeltei, Bayanzurkh, and Songinokhairkhan districts

• Dornod, Bayankhongor, and Uvurkhangai aimags

👥 Participants:
The opening event was attended by representatives of the Embassy of Canada, local and municipal government agencies, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), civil society organizations, representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises, and representatives of the banking sector.

       H.E. Mr. Stephen Doust, Ambassador-Designate of Canada to Mongolia, emphasized in his opening remarks:

“One of the priorities of the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives is to promote and protect human rights while ensuring accessibility for all. Among the projects to be implemented in Mongolia this year, this project was selected for support as it highlights the importance of creating a more inclusive and accessible environment for persons with disabilities, their caregivers, and assistants in the SME sector.”

     In her remarks, Member of Parliament Ms. O.Saranchuluun stated:

“The lack of workplace accommodations, environmental barriers, social and economic challenges, and psychological factors together limit the employment opportunities of persons with disabilities. To overcome these challenges, cooperation among government, the private sector, and civil society organizations is essential, and I express my commitment to support this cause.”

During the event, project activities were presented in detail to stakeholders, including plans to conduct research on the employment environment of persons with disabilities, provide capacity-building trainings and mentorship to SMEs on disability-smart management practices. This important initiative has officially commenced, aiming to elevate the inclusive growth of Mongolian SMEs to a new level and demonstrate that disability is not a barrier but a source of innovation.