A “Business Idea Competition” aimed at supporting the Gender-Smart Business initiative was successfully organized, and the winners were announced.

The competition was held in two categories: startups and operating businesses. In the first round, 19 project proposals were submitted; from these, 8 participants advanced to the final round and presented their business ideas. The participants introduced a range of interesting, feasible projects that accurately identified pressing gender-related issues and real market needs. They received high evaluations from the judges and, at the same time, heard practical advice and recommendations.

🏆Category 1: Operating businesses

• 1st place – A project to inlay souvenirs and handicraft products using epoxy (liquid glass).

• 2nd place – “Suun Shim” – A project to increase production capacity by expanding equipment for manufacturing a variety of dairy products from livestock milk, as well as import-substituting whey candy and an innovative “Khusam cookie.”

• 3rd place – “Eel House” – A project to establish a day-care and care-service center for older adults.

🌱Category 2: Startups

• 1st place – The DBD team’s project to produce sea buckthorn–based, gender-sensitive healthy food products.

• 2nd place – coffee-times.mn – An online platform for discussing political and social issues.

• 3rd place – HERITAGE IN HER HANDS – “Engeriin Tevrelт” projects aimed at increasing children’s emotional support and expanding women’s economic opportunities were selected.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the representatives of the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Protection, the Gender Studies Centre of the National University of Mongolia, the Bayanzurkh District SME Support Centre, and JICA for serving as judges and providing participants with realistic and valuable recommendations.

This competition was organized under the pilot project “Supporting Gender-Smart Business,” which is being implemented with JICA’s support, and it became an important step toward bringing positive change to the growth of women-owned businesses participating in the program.