2025
Policy Foundation
A collaborative natural resource management function is added to the strategy and structure of the central state authority in charge of environment — establishing the institutional groundwork for the entire programme.
Project Finance for Permanence
"Eternal Mongolia"
PFP
A 15-year, USD 197.8 million program to permanently protect Mongolia's nature, implemented by MNLF in partnership with the Government of Mongolia and The Nature Conservancy.
Eternal Mongolia
$198 million to conserve,
Mongolia's landscapes,
rivers, and wildlife
Eternal Mongolia is a Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) program, a $71 million donor fund from global donors paired with $127 million in domestic commitments.
What is PFP?
Securing Mongolia's rich cultural and ecological heritage is an environmental necessity and an economic opportunity. Eternal Mongolia brings funding and support to achieve a sustainable future for the country.
The Eternal Mongolia Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) is a long-term conservation finance initiative that secures US$198 million over 15 years through a tripartite partnership between the Government of Mongolia, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the Mongolian Nature’s Legacy Foundation (MNLF), established in April 2024.
Preparatory work began in 2020, led by the President’s Office, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), among other partners, laying the foundation for successful program implementation through fundraising, planning, negotiations, and the establishment of MNLF.
By securing long-term funding and introducing innovative financing mechanisms, the Mongolia PFP aims to expand and effectively manage Mongolia’s protected areas while supporting sustainable livelihoods for local communities now and for generations to come.
Total Program Funding
USD 197.8M
15 years · 2024–2038
30% Protected Area by 2030
14M Hectares to be added
24K Herder households
A tripartite partnership
PFP Milestones, 2025–2032
Milestones on the way
In addition to the financing commitments, the PFP partners have committed to reaching the following ambitious milestones in line with Mongolia's priority conservation targets.
2026
Sustainable Finance
The Government of Mongolia implements a sustainable finance mechanism by increasing protected area entry fees in stages — turning visitor revenue into lasting conservation capital.
2027
Herder Resilience
A policy framework for herder climate adaptation and sustainable rangeland use is developed jointly with MAFA and MECC. A designated share of natural resource fees is allocated to conservation and disclosed publicly.
2028
Legal Reform
An amendment to the Law on Special Protected Areas is submitted to Parliament — aligning PA classification with international standards and enabling NGO conservation management agreements. Full SFM implementation begins.
2030
30×30 Achieved
Mongolia expands its National Protected Area network to cover 30% of its total territory — fulfilling Vision-2050's 51st indicator and meeting the global 30×30 biodiversity target.
2032
Full Management
Management plans for all National Protected Areas — including newly established ones — are developed using internationally recognised methodologies. Regular effectiveness assessments are conducted across the entire network.
Funding Structure
USD 71M in donor funding,
USD 126.8M from sustainable finance
The Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) model is a transformative approach designed to secure the permanent protection, effective management, and sustainable funding of conservation areas at the national scale. It mobilizes governments, local communities, private and public funders, through a single, binding agreement that aligns everyone under shared ecological and development objectives and integrated financial models.
Under the Eternal Mongolia PFP, partners committed to deliver $198 million of new investment in conservation and community economic development over 15 years. This includes:
- US $71 million of donor funding from TNC through private and other global sources, split into i) a US$21 million endowment fund, ii) a US$40 million transition fund, and iii) a US$10 million earmarked fund.
- US $127 million of government funding to be secured in the coming 15 years through improved and new sustainable financing mechanisms (SFM) by the government.
The donor funding, excluding the US$10 million earmarked fund, will be managed by MNLF and disbursed in phases in line with an Implementation Plan agreed by the PFP partners, allowing time to develop government-led SFMs to ensure the long-term management of protected areas.
USD 21M
Endowment Fund
Managed by TNC until Year 15, then transferred to MNLF
USD 40M
Transition Fund
Managed by MNLF and disbursed in phases under the agreed Implementation Plan
USD 10M
Earmarked Fund
Donor funding earmarked for specific conservation commitments
USD 127M
Sustainable Finance Mechanisms
Government funding to be secured through improved and new SFMs
Donor funding totals USD 71M (Endowment + Transition + Earmarked funds). The remaining USD 127M will be generated by Sustainable Finance Mechanisms implemented by the Government of Mongolia.
Eternal Mongolia PFP
Four Programmatic Goals
The programme aims to deliver the following goals in line with the 8 conservation milestones through policy and grant tracks.
Programme
Community-Based Natural Resource Management
Securing livelihoods and rangelands for 24,000 herder families through the Green Herder Loan Programme.
Read moreProgramme
Management Effectiveness of Protected Area Systems
Ensuring Mongolia's parks are well-managed, well-resourced, and resilient under updated legal frameworks.
Read moreProgramme
Expand the National Protected Area Network
Adding 14 million hectares of new protected lands to reach the global 30×30 commitment.
Read moreProgramme
Sustainable Financing Mechanisms
Building diversified, lasting funding tools, from results-based budgeting to biodiversity offsets.
Read moreSustainable finance transition
USD 0.0M mobilized across a 15-year handoff
Deal closed 2024.04.22
Donor funding 0%
Public and other funding 100%
Y10 USD 126.8M Steady
Implementation phase
Mongolia's Protected Areas
Protected areas
Four categories Buffer zones Communities
Click any layer to explore protected areas, buffer zones, and community conservation groups. Toggle layers using the legend. Data sourced from Mongolia's Ministry of Environment via eic.mn.
Loading protected areas…
© OpenStreetMap © CARTO · Ministry of Environment & Climate Change of Mongolia
Global Context
Mongolia is part of a global movement
The “Eternal Mongolia” PFP is part of the global Enduring Earth partnership founded by TNC, The Pew Charitable Trusts, World Wildlife Fund and ZOMA LAB, which supports and advances around 20 PFP initiatives around the world. The PFP mission is to prove that what we protect together endures.
Around 20 PFP initiatives around the world, aiming to protect 600 million hectares of land. Mongolia is one of the flagship implementations alongside programs in Canada, Brazil, Colombia, Kenya, Gabon, and Namibia.
Explore Enduring EarthDrag to spin
~20 PFP initiatives around the world
600M Hectares to be protected globally
108 Conservation Trust Funds globally
Sustainable Financing
Five mechanisms to fund conservation, permanently
The $127 million dollars committed by the Government of Mongolia under the Eternal Mongolia PFP, will be generated by building domestic revenue systems tied directly to conservation outcomes. Several sustainable financing mechanisms (SFMs) are currently explored:
01
PA Entry Fees & Revenues
Fees from protected area visits, scaling with visitor volume and category.
02
New Conservation Levy
A conservation fee charged on every tourist visiting Mongolia.
03
Nature Resource Use Fees
Strengthened implementation of fees for resource extraction and land use.
04
Biodiversity Offsets & Credits
Corporate income tax exemptions linked to biodiversity offset commitments.
05
Nature-Based Tourism Infrastructure
Strategic investment in visitor infrastructure at model protected areas.
Initiative
Nature Positive
Business Coalition
Closing a USD 10M/year biodiversity financing gap, by mobilizing Mongolia's private sector.
0
leading Mongolian companies in Phase 1
0
target year to become Nature Positive
0M
USD per year biodiversity financing gap
0
activity pillars, governance to CSR
Target sectors
Six activity pillars
01 Governance & Policy
02 Nature Risk Reporting
03 Green Investment
04 CSR & Offsetting
05 Capacity Building
06 Public Awareness
Eternal Mongolia
Technical Coordination Committee
The PFP Technical Coordination Committee is responsible for overseeing Eternal Mongolia's progress toward its goals and the use of allocated financial resources, while ensuring alignment with national priorities and international commitments.
Ts. Uranchimeg Director General, Department of Protected Areas Policy, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
T. Baljinnyam Director General, Department of Natural Resources Policy and Sustainable Use, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
B. Amarbayasgalan Director, Financial Markets and International Cooperation Division, Ministry of Finance
Ts. Munkhnasan Specialist, Department of Livestock Policy Implementation, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry
S. Purevsuren Head, Green Finance Division, Ministry of Economy and Development
Yu. Bayarjargal Conservation Director, The Nature Conservancy Mongolia
B. Chimeddorj Conservation Director, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Mongolia
B. Oyungerel Independent Consultant on Protected Areas
U. Tungalag Director, ZS Luujin NGO; Consultant on Community-Based Conservation
S. Amgalanbaatar Director, Argali Research Center
Ts. Munkhbayar CEO, Mongolian Investment Rating Agency LLC
Eternal Mongolia
Project Coordination Unit
The Project Coordination Unit (PCU) is funded by MNLF and provides support to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) and other government agencies in delivering the goals, milestones and financial commitments under the Eternal Mongolia PFP.
Amartuvshin Sanjmyatav
PCU Coordinator
Namuunaa Munkhbat
Protected Area Network Specialist
Ochirkhuyag Jargalsaikhan
Protected Area Management Specialist
Khulan Saruulzam
Project and Partnership Specialist
Media Releases
Historic media releases
The Nature Conservancy Apr 2024
Mongolia launches USD 198 million Eternal Mongolia programme
The Government of Mongolia, TNC and MNLF sign a tripartite agreement launching the 15-year programme.
Read →Enduring Earth Apr 2024
Eternal Mongolia joins the global Enduring Earth portfolio
Mongolia becomes a flagship PFP alongside programmes in Canada, Brazil, Colombia, Kenya, Gabon and Namibia.
Read →Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Apr 2024
MECC announces 30% protected area commitment by 2030
Mongolia commits to expanding its national protected area network to cover 30% of the country's territory.
Read →* Placeholder entries — source links to be added.