1995-2000
During 1995-2000, GCSD a predecessor of the DHF developed a comprehensive database by conducting numerous studies and research on the BPFA critical areas of concern during transitional economy of the country with a strong focus on human development related issues. Joint research works involved academics and researchers from the USA, UK, Australia, Korea and Japan. Articles of our team members were published in the Asian Women magazine and in the national media.
2000-2005
In 2000-2005, while playing a significant role in the process of strengthening capacities of civil society organizations namely, women’s movement in the country, our major activities were focused on a broad range of advocacy activities. We introduced various innovative and gender related analytical methodologies vis-à-vis the country’s development agenda and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Being recognized as a professional research group of Mongolia, we represented the country in various regional and international conferences and undertakings.
2005-2011
We gradually expanded areas of our activities towards improving and making the development policy planning processes and actions in more inclusive and participatory ways both at the local and national levels. Our team members helped establishing a “Local eco-team leaders network” that deeply involved in the local/community development related practical actions aimed at reducing vulnerability among the marginalized population, exploring potential opportunities towards improving the livelihood of low-income and poor population, migrant families, unemployed youth, disabled children and female-headed household. In 2005, we established a Tolgoit Community Development Center (TCDC) that promotes Tolgoit area residents to participate in the local development processes based on their initiatives and needs and facilitate strengthening the capacities of the local areas self-governing institutions. TCDC today has become an exemplary community group that provides various services to local women, men, children and low-income and poor households and closely partners with local authorities and like-minded groups abroad.
2011-2017
Upon reviewing over 15 years of the GCSD activities, progress, lessons learned and milestones achieved, our team agreed to move further as the Development Horizons Foundation (DHF) with an expanded mission and objectives.
And within the framework of the research analytical and stakeholder engagement actions: our joint research work with the University of Queensland and the Sustainable Minerals Institute (2013-2015) was resulted in the publication of the research document entitled: "Responsible Mining in Mongolia: Enhancing Positive Engagement".
The "Rapid gender assessment of the vegetable sector in selected areas" was released in 2015 with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) initiative and support.
The "Report on the Assessment and Integration of a Pro-Poor and Inclusive Approach in Green Development Policy and Planning Processes in Mongolia" was issued in 2016 by the request of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) of Mongolia.
With the GIZ request, our team conducted the 2nd “Gender Analysis of the German-Mongolian Institute of Resources and Technology” study in 2017 to assess the progress and challenges encountered in achieving gender equality at the German-Mongolian Institute of Resources and Technology (GMIT) since 2013 and provided recommendations coherent with current gender situation and new policy objectives to promote gender equality in Mongolia.
Within the framework of the policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement actions, the DHF team developed the “Environmental Sector Gender Strategy 2014-2030”, “Gender strategy for organizations and agencies under the authority of the Minister of Finance” and its action plan (2016-2024) and the “Gender-responsive integrated policy of law enforcement organizations under the authority of the Minister of Justice and Home Affairs and its action plan (2016-2021) respectively.
2017-present
For the period of 2017-2019, the DHF team was selected as a key gender consulting firm to develop policy strategies that are inclusive and sustainable as well as contributing towards the realization of gender-responsive policy planning and implementation processes at large under the “Gender-responsive sector and local development policies and actions” technical assistance project jointly implemented by the Government of Mongolia and ADB.
DHF team developed 4 selected sector-specific gender policies with their action plans as well as facilitated developing the national program and gender equality sub-programs in two aimags jointly with the NCGE Secretariat, gender councils of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports (MECSS), Ministry of Construction and Urban Development (MCUD), Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry (MOFALI) and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection (MLSP) and gender subcommittees of Selenge and Dornogobi aimags as well as gender focal points of respective gender councils and subcommittees by providing them with methodological guidance.
Consequently, four sector-specific gender-responsive policies and 2 aimags’ gender equality sub-programs were approved for implementation namely,