Today, Mongolia is facing critical challenges. Climate change is rapidly intensifying, and the occurrence of frequent, high-risk events such as the disastrous dzud of 2023-2024 is threatening not only livestock but also human health, wildlife, pasture productivity, food security, and the supply chain of livestock-based products such as cashmere – a cornerstone of Mongolia’s economy. Overcoming sectoral fragmentation and implementing systemic solutions has therefore become an urgent necessity.
The Resilient Threads project is a five-year collaboration designed to strengthen the resilience of herders, livestock, wildlife, and rangeland ecosystems in Mongolia’s steppe regions.
By applying the One Health approach in these unique landscapes, the project aims to address interconnected challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, and health risks.
The project was developed through multi-stakeholder collaboration, with contributions from the private sector, international organisations including the Odyssey Conservation Trust (OCT), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and in partnership with the Government of Mongolia and local herding communities.
The International Training of Trainers on One Health has been organised as a direct response to these pressing challenges. The programme’s goal is to equip Mongolian specialists from diverse fields – including public health, veterinary science, wildlife and environmental health, agriculture, and plant health – with the knowledge, skills, competencies, and insights required to put the One Health concept into practice.
What makes this training unique is its focus not only on theory but also on practical skills and real-world application. Designed as a highly participatory, hands-on programme, it empowers trainers to address professional challenges using One Health principles.
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the complex socio-ecological systems in which they work, improve their ability to design and implement targeted interventions, and build experience in co-developing solutions with other professions, sectors, government institutions, civil society organisations, and communities.
The training also emphasises gender equality, traditional knowledge, and active stakeholder engagement, ensuring that One Health principles are effectively integrated into Mongolia’s cultural, social, and ecological realities.
This programme is being delivered through international collaboration. Institutions such as the UK’s Royal Veterinary College (RVC), the University of Liège (ULiège), the Odyssey Conservation Trust (OCT), and the Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA) are pooling interdisciplinary expertise and practice, with full support from LVMH and Loro Piana.
Graduates of the International One Health Training of Trainers programme, part of the Resilient Threads project, will emerge with the ability to understand the interconnections between human, animal, and environmental health, as well as the skills to lead, teach, and inspire others. Their knowledge and experience will be passed on to herders, health professionals, students, schoolchildren, and policymakers across Mongolia – helping to embed the One Health approach into practice and culture. Ultimately, this will contribute to building a more sustainable, equitable, and nature-friendly future for both people and the planet.
Translated by Tamir Bud
SFA COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
16 October 2025
Originally posted on 1 September 2025: https://sustainablefibre.mn/resilient-threads-international-advanced-one-health-training-course-for-trainers/