LocationsEuropean Union and UNDP empower Mongolian youth to promote transparent and accountable budget planning and oversight
March 27, 2024
Ulaanbaatar, 27 March 2024 – More than 180 youth from 56 teams participated in the “YOUTH IDEATHON 2024” programme designed to empower and build the capacities of youth in the areas of results-based budgeting and oversight and encourage them to promote transparency and accountability. Participants included diverse representation, from Ulaanbaatar and rural provinces, including public and private sector, universities, non-government organizations, and youth associations. This one-month programme, initiated by the European Union-funded 'SDG Aligned Budgeting to Transform Employment in Mongolia' project implemented by UNDP, was organized in partnership with YOUTHinc.mn - the Young Mongolian Professionals Association.
The Youth Ideathon was structured into three interactive rounds that began with the capacity building of teams chosen from the initial round. This phase was followed by a mentoring stage, where participants received guidance in various aspects of budgeting and oversight. The culmination of the program was the final pitch event, where the top 8 teams showcased their research and project ideas. These presentations proposed optimal solutions for how youth can play a more significant role in result-oriented budgeting, execution, and monitoring, effectively contributing to the improvement of these processes.
Result-based budgeting and oversight are crucial for ensuring the transparent, efficient, and responsible use of public funds. Engaging and empowering youth who comprise a third of Mongolia's population to design and develop creative solutions in this regard are critical for supporting Mongolia's progress on sustainable development where the youth are the champions of social change, economic growth, and innovation.
The composition of the jury, which included representatives from the National Audit Office, the Ministry of Finance, the Budget Sustainability Committee, the European Union, and the UNDP, ensured that the final selection of the top three teams was conducted efficiently and transparently. After considering the interactive presentations of innovative research and project ideas by the final eight teams, the jury made their selection of the winning teams based on the creativity, feasibility, and impact potential of their proposals.
- First place: “Yasan be” team (Youth Volunteer Association) with the project idea on increasing public participation in budget oversight through the additional menu on the E-Mongolia web platform
- Second place: “Dream high” team (National University of Mongolia) with the project idea on raising youth awareness and participation through mobile phone-tailored messages
- Third place: “Khusel” team (Mongolian University of Science and Technology) with project idea on raising public awareness and participation in budget oversight through Game Application
Mr. Adrien Mourgues, Head of Cooperation Team, Delegation of the European Union to Mongolia, congratulated all participants of the Youth Ideathon and emphasized that “Youth play an important role in shaping the future of the country, and given the demographic profile of Mongolia, this target group is the core of the European Union engagement in Mongolia. This includes, among others, sensitizing and engaging youth in promoting good governance such as transparency and accountability”.
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About European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 European countries. It is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. It acts globally to promote the sustainable development of societies, the environment, and economies, so that everyone can benefit
About UNDP
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.
For further inquiries:
Otgongerel Kh., Project Communications Officer (otgongerel.khalzanbanid@undp.org)
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