Democracy Education Center (DEMO) is a Mongolian non-governmental, non-partisan, non-profit organization that was established in 2002. It envisions a democratic civil society with informed, responsible and active citizens. DEMO’s mission is to strengthen civil society through education, promotion of democracy and support of active citizenship. Guided by the underlying values founded on equality, cooperation, commitment, tolerance, solidarity, and permanent education for all, DEMO’s strategy for societal development is through the building of a stronger, more effective, and potentially more sustainable NGO community. 

DEMO implements programs focusing on NGOs’ capacity building; education for democracy; and social accountability. The NGO’s Capacity Building program aims to contribute to the strengthening and development of a sustainable NGO sector in Mongolia by providing support services such as training; consultation and advisory services; publication of newsletters, training manuals and others; , and conducting a comprehensive needs assessment of NGOs in Mongolia. 

DEMO is a recognized lead group in building a closer partnership with the Mongolian Government. DEMO was also involved in establishing Mongolia’s Civil Society Council in 2008. The Council represents the common goals of over 100 NGOs, trade unions, civic and human rights movements and aims to liaise between the Mongolian government and CSOs, while at the same time coordinate CSO activities. 

The Council signed the first-ever Cooperation Agreement with the government of Mongolia on March 26, 2008. The agreement officially recognizes the Civil Society Council’s role as the liaison unit between the government and CSOs. It also defines several priority areas for cooperation between the government and the council. These include provision of government contracts for services delivered by NGOs; improvement of the legal and financial frameworks for NGOs; monitoring of the state budget by the council; and inclusion of council members in government decision-making bodies. DEMO is the National Coordinator for the Civil Society Council.