Ulaanbaatar, July 4, 2025 /MONTSAME/.  The launch event for the SOAP II project was officially held in October 2024 in Darkhan-Uul province. More than 40 attendees participated, including representatives from the Darkhan-Uul Province Governor's Office, the Citizens' Representative Khural, the Building Association of Darkhan-Uul Province, the Environmental Department, project implementation organizations, stakeholders, and representatives from similar projects, programs, and international organizations.

During the meeting, the participants engaged in productive discussions about the implementation of the SOAP II project in Darkhan-Uul Province and the selection of committee members for the region.

The baseline survey was successfully conducted in Darkhan-Uul province

The study involved 300 households in the Darkhan-Uul aimag, with findings based on document analysis and 36 qualitative interviews. Although 39% of the surveyed households had insulated their homes, their consumption of coal and electricity during the heating season did not decrease compared to those without insulation. This indicates that the insulation is not being implemented to standard. Most households rely on traditional stoves and coal for heating, which contributes to air pollution. A technical analysis of private homes revealed significant heat loss due to poor insulation and inadequate construction materials and methods.

Training of Energy advisors and  Insulation Brigade was conducted in Darkhan-Uul aimag

Open enrollment has been announced for training Energy advisors and  Insulation Brigades, specifically aimed at micro and small business owners in Darkhan-Uul province. The training program successfully prepared 26 insulation brigades. As a result, a skilled workforce has been established in Darkhan-Uul province, capable of insulating detached houses and conducting technical assessments. This initiative lays a solid foundation for the insulation market in the region.

 350 households in Darkhan have been insulated with a "Simple solution"

The Simple Solution campaign aimed to encourage households to insulate their homes using affordable and readily available materials. Additionally, it sought to raise awareness about the importance of insulation among citizens. The campaign took place in Darkhan-Uul aimag from October to December 2024. During this period, a total of 350 households insulated their homes using simple insulation methods. Furthermore, participants not only insulated their own homes but also engaged by informing five neighbors, and as a reward, they received 5 cm of roof insulation.

On May 27th, a delegation from the European Union to Mongolia, led by Ms. Ina Marčiulionytė, the Ambassador of the European Union to Mongolia, visited Darkhan province. Their aim was to see the implemented initiatives and visit a household that had received an incentive for a 5 cm roof insulation as part of the “Simple Solutions” campaign.

During the visit, the homeowner shared that the roof insulation process was straightforward. After having their roof insulated, they noticed that frost on the windows and ceiling had ceased, which helped retain warmth in the house for a longer period. This improvement significantly reduced the cold exposure for younger children in the household. The local branch of the Red Cross, a partnering community-based organization (CBO), also confirmed that the project’s campaign effectively reached the target households and was carried out in a timely manner.