The IRIM is a component of the Environmental Relations Project of the “Supporting Protected Areas for the Conservation of Ecosystem Services” (SPACES) project funded by GIZ Mongolia and implemented by the Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism and the GIZ. The “Pilot- and Pre-KAP Survey” is being conducted in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Preparations for the pre-KAP survey began in May 2021. In addition, international experts from Georgian Opinion Research Business International (GORBI) are working with the project's core team to develop research methodologies, tools, and support the overall process. 

The main objectives of the KAP research project are:  

• Development of a target group and gender-specific environmental communication strategy for the PA system.  

• Development of a method adapted to local conditions to measure the effectiveness of pilot measures.  

• Advising the MET on the development and implementation of three prioritized measures to raise awareness (about the importance of PA management) among the general public and strategic government agencies 

The project surveyed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of domestic visitors traveling to the target three protected areas and PA officials. The survey used a quantitative survey method involving a total of 1,316 domestic visitors and 147 PA staff. The data collection was conducted from 13 July to 1 September and consisted of face-to-face and remote (distance-based) interviews using the computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) method and the computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) method. 

Details of the tasks done within the project include: 

• Revised survey sample, 

• Improved survey tools, 

• Improved tools based on pilot research, 

• Prepared training manuals and organized trainings for enumerators, 

• Organized data collection using the CAPI method, 

• Data entry and information quality checked in three stages, 

• Developed a refined data set for data analysis, 

• Analyzed the collected data, 

• Developed Preliminary conclusions of quantitative research, 

• Developed Final report framework, 

• Prepared a final report, a short article and presentation.