GIC’s in-depth training for selected 20 local civil society organizations was held on March 11, 2022 in the Conference room of Bishrelt Hotel, Ulaanbaatar. 20 representatives or two CSOs from each designated location, namely Arkhangai, Bulgan, Darkhan-Uul, Orkhon, Khuvsgul, Selenge, Tuv aimags, and Baganuur, Nalaikh and Songinokhairkhan districts of Ulaanbaatar, attended the training. 

In her opening remarks, D. Badamchimeg, Senior Specialist of the World Bank's Public Sector, the main implementer of the project, highlighted the key differences between the MASAM I and II projects, and emphasized that direct funding from implementers and donors is not an effective way to ensure the sustainability of the project. She thanked CSOs for their initiate to conduct monitoring in their aimags/districts. The MASAM II project is seeking technological solutions to ensure public participation in primary health care service and public investment and, that the application is about to be tested, as she said.

G.Undral, a WB consultant and head of DEMO NGO, facilitated session titled “How to effectively utilize SA tools”, sharing her experience gained during the MASAM I project, lessons learnt and successes with participants. Participants expressed their interest in Citizen Score card by asking questions. Then, Ts.Lkhagvasuren, the GIC Communication Manager, introduced on findings of multi-stakeholder discussions on problems and solutions held in each designated location. Finally, Ch.Enkhbayar, GIC Project Coordinator facilitated a session on how to conduct monitoring, how to gather, verify and analyze information, and how to effectively engage in advocacy/lobbying activities. 

In the afternoon, CSO representatives conducted exercises as part of planning of monitoring activities, setting goals, objectives, and steps of monitoring within the framework of legislation, standards, and regulations, and received advice and recommendations from other participants. Discussion and group work sessions include brief presentation by each province/district on local initiatives followed by recommendations and suggestions from trainers and other experienced NGOs. Then, NGOs such as Khuvsguliin khugjil devshild that worked on the MASAM I project, New Administrative Initiative experienced in conducting monitoring on budget and glass account shared experience with participants. The participating CSOs will conduct two monitoring and one public awareness campaign/activity within two main areas, public investment and primary health care, under the MASAM II project.