GIZ | Ulaanbaatar Residential Energy Efficiency Improvement Project

Client: German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ)

Project: Dulaan bair

Date: 2025-2026 on going campaign

Location: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Nearly half of Mongolia’s population lives in Ulaanbaatar, the coldest capital city in the world. Around 30% of the city’s residential buildings are prefabricated apartment blocks, most of which suffer from significant heat loss, fail to reach standard indoor temperatures during winter, and face risks of mold and dampness.

The RePaRe project aims to improve building energy efficiency by implementing thermal retrofits in prefabricated residential buildings, enhance residents’ comfort and health conditions, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/a678cc_c629e1f90be1466994195db5a9750af6/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

CHALLANGE

Ulaanbaatar’s prefabricated apartment buildings face severe heat loss due to poor insulation, leading to high energy consumption, low indoor thermal comfort during winter, and increased risks of dampness and mold. At the same time, public awareness of energy efficiency solutions and access to affordable insulation financing remain limited.

SOLUTION

The RePaRe project implemented with GIZ addressed these challenges through thermal retrofitting of prefabricated buildings, introducing practical insulation solutions to reduce heat loss and energy costs. The project combined public awareness campaigns, real-life video storytelling, and community engagement to increase understanding of energy efficiency and its benefits. In parallel, it supported institutional and policy improvements, strengthened technical capacity, and contributed to establishing sustainable financing mechanisms such as the BEEF fund to ensure long-term impact.

RESULT

Through public events and a series of video stories featuring real-life experiences, the campaign successfully demonstrated how education and skills development can create long-term opportunities and positive social impact. It also highlighted affordable, low-interest insulation solutions for households in prefabricated apartment buildings, helping families reduce heat loss and lower heating costs. As a result, the project strengthened public understanding of education, energy efficiency, and sustainable development.

• Strengthen institutional and technical capacity

• Implement thermal retrofitting of residential buildings and ensure energy savings

• Conduct public awareness, outreach, and training activities

• Launch the BEEF fund and establish a sustainable financing mechanism

CONTENTS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI8quu6TZUA

PROJECT TEAM 

• CEO: Dovdonbalbar T.

• Senior Account Manager: Bulgankhishig T.

• Account Manager: Purevjargal G.

• Media manager: Enkhjin B.

• Assistant Account Manager: Selenge B.

• Director of Photography (DOP): Amin-Erdene P.

• Videographer: Temuulen D.

• Designer: Enkhjin Ya.

What began as a building energy efficiency initiative has evolved into a broader movement toward action, where residents, institutions, and policymakers actively contribute to creating more sustainable and energy-efficient urban living conditions.

Behind the scenes: