The general concept of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is to carry out humanitarian and development programs and projects, aimed to improve livelihoods of the population in rural areas, esp. in the Western region. In rural areas animal husbandry, crop production and informal mining will remain the main occupations for more than 50% of the population, all relying on the use of natural resources.

The fact that the changes in climate (less precipitation and higher temperature) and man-made actions (overgrazing and negligence of wells) have significantly increased rangeland degeneration and desertification in the western region, the Project will mainly focus its activities in Khovd, Bayankhongor and Gobi-Altai aimags of this region.