The Mongolian Nature's Legacy Foundation officially launched the comprehensive "PA Accelerator" program on May 22, 2026. The program aims to strengthen the management of Protected Area (PA) administrations, increase their long-term capacity, and develop model PAs.
This program is being implemented within the framework of the "Eternal Mongolia" permanent conservation financing initiative, jointly executed by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the Mongolian Nature's Legacy Foundation.
What the Program Delivers
- Up to 16.5 billion MNT in total grant funding will be awarded.
- A single protected area administration can receive grant funding support ranging from 500 million to 3 billion MNT.
- In addition to grants, technical assistance, consulting services, and capacity-building training will be provided.
- The program will be implemented in two phases: readiness and management improvement.
Program Highlights
- Out of 40 eligible protected area administrations, 36 submitted grant proposals.
- All applications were evaluated by an independent, multi-stakeholder technical committee in accordance with international trust fund standards.
- The 15 selected protected area administrations represent all ecological zones and belts of Mongolia, as well as all categories of PAs.
- The territories protected by these administrations cover over 40 percent of the country's total protected areas.
- About half of the nearly 800 rangers working nationwide will be involved in the program.
Voices from the Launch
During the opening, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Ts. Sandag-Ochir emphasized the program's significance — highlighting that it is crucial for practically testing and modeling new approaches, such as results-based management, sustainable financing, and local participation, that are reflected in the revised Law on Protected Areas.
M. Boldoo, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mongolian Nature's Legacy Foundation, noted that cooperation between the government, local authorities, communities, the private sector, and international partners is essential for establishing sustainable and effective PA management. He also announced that specific grant programs supporting community-based co-management of natural resources will be implemented in phases moving forward.
Executive Director E. Nomindari emphasized that the program's funding is not limited to grants — it includes comprehensive support such as technical assistance, capacity-building training, and professional consulting services. She also highlighted that subsequent initiatives will follow, including grants to support locally protected areas and natural resource co-management, as well as a green transition loan program for herders.
Protected area administrations enrolled in the PA Accelerator program will improve their management based on international evaluation methodologies such as the IUCN Green List and METT. They will also participate in training and experience-sharing in leadership, sustainable tourism, and land management.
"The Protected Areas Accelerator program will set a new management standard for protecting Mongolia's unique natural heritage, tangibly increase conservation effectiveness, and mark the beginning of long-term sustainable operations to develop model protected area administrations." — Ts. Uranchimeg, Director of the PA Policy Department, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
The 15 Selected Protected Area Administrations
- 01Achit Lake–Devel Island National Park Administration
- 02Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area – Part A Administration
- 03Dariganga National Park Administration
- 04Zed–Khantai–Buteel Range Strictly Protected Area Administration
- 05Ikh Nart Nature Reserve Administration
- 06Mongol Altai Range State Protected Area Administration
- 07Numrug Strictly Protected Area Administration
- 08Orkhon Valley National Park Administration
- 09Otgontenger State Protected Area Administration
- 10Uvs Lake Basin State Protected Area Administration
- 11Ulaan Taiga State Protected Area Administration
- 12Khan Khentii State Protected Area Administration
- 13Khangai Range National Park Administration
- 14Khuvsgul State Protected Area Administration
- 15Khurkh–Khuiten Valley Nature Reserve Administration
We would like to express our gratitude to all the protected area administrations that submitted their applications, the technical evaluation committee members, and all our partner organizations.
Photo gallery
1 / 8
