MARKET OPPORTUNITIES FOR RURAL ENTREPRENEURS (MORE) PROJECT

The Market Opportunities for Rural Entrepreneurs (MORE) project is a rural business development support project designed and managed by Mercy Corps with financing from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The project will be implemented in 15aimags (provinces) through December 31, 2011.

Project Goal
To increase the income of Mongolian herders and ex-herders in 15 aimags through sustainable mechanisms.

Project Objectives
To create new market opportunities to help diversify and expand rural businesses in Mongolia.

Project Focus

• Effective linkage of producers to markets supporting and mobilizing Extended Producer Groups (EPGs)
• Linkage of EPGs with existing systems for market information, such as Market Watch, an on-demand system for the current and projected price of commodities
• Empowering existing groups and individuals to provide business development services on a fee-for-service basis and improving quality BDS coverage
• Sustainability and continuation of demand-driven services of BDS providers
• Creation of new markets for rural businesses and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) through supporting competitive and transparent government procurement
• Strengthening knowledge and capacity building of government, CSOs, and rural businesses   

Project Clients

• EPGs - independent, self-governing groups made up of herders and ex-herders
• BDS Providers  - provides various services for rural businesses to build their capacity and link them to the market
• Local Governments - delivers of better goods and services as a result of government outsourcing
• Rural entrepreneurs and CSOs - implementers of government contracts for goods and services

Project Components

Component 1: Market Access and Expansion – Through collective action, create favorable economies of scale which result in more advantageous linkages between producers and processors through the support and mobilization of Extended Producers Groups (EPGs). This includes timely access to accurate market information, improved internal governance, mechanisms, and improved capacity to negotiate.
Component 2: Business Development Services and an Enabling Business Environment – Sophistication and diversification of available business development services on a fee-for-service basis and expand the geographical reach of improved technical assistance provided by local business development services into rural areas.

Funded by

15 aimags of Mongolia: Arkhangai, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Ulgii, Dornogovi, Dornod, Dundgovi, Govi-Sumber, Govi-AltaiHovd, Huvsgul, Uvurhangai, Suhbaatar, Umnugobi, Uvs and Zavkhan.

MORE Project Final Report [PDF]

MORE FILES