GOVERNANCE

Since its establishment in 2008, IRIM has focused on the governance sector, and projects related to this field alone account for more than 20% of all projects. Currently, more than 70 long- and short-term governance projects have been implemented. Among them, examples are focusing on research activities aimed at strengthening data-driven, e-governance digital transformation, and open governance initiatives. The Institute is constantly developing research methods in governance sector-related topics such as:

Promoting democracy, human rights, and civic participation:

IRIM has been working in the field of democracy, civil space, and civil rights. Among the outstanding projects implemented in this field, in 2018, with the support of the World Society Foundation (WSF), an International Conference on Democracy in the 21st Century: Challenges and Ways Forward was successfully organized in Mongolia, which included 31 speakers from 14 countries and about 100 participants. As a result of this conference, a publication titled Democratic Struggles in Challenging Times: Insights from Mongolia and Around the World Publication was prepared. It was distributed to the public (in English and Mongolian) and made available to researchers in many countries. Also, on the issues of democracy, the electoral system and citizens’ participation, public opinion surveys have been organized every year; and the results (presented to policymakers, academics, and citizens) and have become popular topics of discussion.

Since 2020, IRIM has been a member of the Asian Democracy Research Network (ADRN), working to share the results of research in the field of democracy internationally and networking. Also, the Institute is cooperating with international organizations - such as the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the International Republican Institute (IRI) - in research and projects on this topic.

Since the issue of ensuring the participation and representation of diverse social groups is important in the field of governance, IRIM adheres to the GEDSI approach (Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion). This seeks to include equal representation of gender, disabilities, and vulnerable groups in all IRIM’s research and projects in this field. In 2024, political elections (an important way to ensure citizens’ participation in governance) will be held in more than 60 countries around the world, and half of the world’s population will participate in the elections. In this regard, IRIM aims to ensure the equal representation (of those groups at risk of being left out) in all stages of research projects in the field of governance; to contribute to the equal empowerment of the right to vote and be elected by all social groups.
Determining the quality and availability of public services and the satisfaction of citizens:

Another major activity in the field of governance is research evaluating the performance of government policies and initiatives of the public. Also preparing conclusion and recommendations for policy makers aimed at increasing the quality and accessibility of government services.

Since 2012, IRIM has carried out the Citizens’ Satisfaction Survey on Public Policy and Service at the sector level in cooperation with ministries and agencies, and (since 2019, at the national level) in cooperation with the Cabinet Secretariat of Government of Mongolia. Also, the Baseline and outcome monitoring surveys for the One- Stop-Shop project (2013-2014) was carried out; an important task of collecting basic information to improve the provision of public services to citizens from One-Stop-Shop.

Since 2010, IRIM has been working as a member of the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability in East Asia and the Pacific (Foundation) within the framework of the goal of improving access and the quality of public services and improving social responsibility. Also, IRIM is working with the government and international organizations - such as the World Bank (WB), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and the Cabinet Secretariat of the Government of Mongolia - in projects and research within this topic.
Increasing the access to information and transparency of public services:

During 2010-2011, to increase the transparency of public services and the access to information, IRIM developed the first version of the methodology for evaluating the e-transparency of government organizations. Since 2014, the Institute has been independently evaluating the e-transparency of government organizations. The methodology for measuring the transparency of government websites was revised, and developed into the Digital Transparency Index, which can be used internationally, and has been successfully implemented in Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan. IRIM independently conducts this index every year within the framework of social responsibility, and aims to make comparisons over many years.

Since 2008, IRIM has carried out research activities aimed at strengthening the budget transparency of the local government agencies. In 2014, IRIM influenced adoption of the Law of Mongolia on Glass Account, and for the last five years, has been participating in the empowerment of the parties; implementing the Soum Local Development Fund Annual Performance Assessment at the national level, and contributing to the development of local governance.

In the area of governance, IRIM has been a member of the Innovation for Change (I4C) international network since 2018. It aims to protect the rights of civil society organizations across the Central Asian region. Additionally, IRIM maintains robust partnership with governmental and international organizations, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Asian Foundation (TAF), and the Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC).