Mongolia and AFDM

AFD has a partner organisation in Mongolia called ХӨГЖЛИЙН ТӨЛӨӨ АДАЛ ЯВДАЛ which means Adventures for Development in Mongolian.

What does AFDM do?

AFDM is a registered NGO in Mongolia, and like AFD in the UK is a charitable grant-making organisation. AFDM's initial project is providing a responsible system for the adventure phenomenon of driving to Mongolia to raise money for charity. AFDM will assist with the distribution of funds raised from the vehicles taking part in the Mongol Rally. With this framework in place, which is designed to maximise the benefit to Mongolia, AFDM is able to accept vehicles driven to Mongolia by anyone for charity.

Vehicles brought into Mongolia with AFDM are sold and the money raised is distributed to carefully selected charity projects in Mongolia. The vehicles are repaired to a good roadworthy level to pass the Mongolian road safety examination. AFDM also provides information to assist the drivers and ensure the proper procedures are followed.

There are three important ingredients:

The first is that AFDM is able to raise huge amounts of money to help a number of excellent charitable projects in Mongolia.
The second is that the whole process is clear and easy to manage for the Mongolian authorities.
The third is that people driving to the grand old country of Genghis Khan have a huge amount of adventure, knowing that their donated vehicle will make lots of people happy by funding excellent projects

Information on all the projects supported by AFDM will be posted on this website.

Who can use the system offered by AFDM for driving to Mongolia for charity?

All are welcome to apply. This system was set up by AFDM with The Adventurists and the Mongolian authorities to ensure that all vehicles driven to Mongolia are dealt with responsibly and that they go towards funding bonafide charitable causes and projects. So any an individual can apply to drive their car to Mongolia for charity if they want to. The numbers are limited by AFDM and the Mongolian Authorities to protect the environment and the local car markets and maximise the benefit to Mongolia. For more information on how to appy contact us.

What do I have to do if I want to bring my car into Mongolia and donate it to charity?

You need to apply to AFDM or be part of an approved event.

Do I have to pay AFDM for the service? If so why?

Yes, you will have to pay an administrative fee to AFDM. Part of the arrangement with the government in Mongolia is that you intrepid adventurers cover the costs of administration so that all the money raised by your vehicles goes to the projects. Your fee enables AFDM to:

Carry out the logistical support required to import vehicles into Mongolia in a responsible manner.
To ensure your vehicle is legally imported so that your vehicle is passed on in the correct way, with the correct paperwork to its new owners
To liaise with the Mongolian authorities such as Customs and the traffic police.
To organise the sale or donation of the vehicles.
To distribute the funds raised from the sale of the vehicles to excellent Mongolian charity projects.
To monitor the projects selected and produce reports detailing the tangible results achieved.
To carry out the whole process from start to finish in a manner that maximises the benefit to Mongolia

What's the relationship between AFD and AFDM for this initial project?

Established by AFD UK, AFDM is a registered NGO in Mongolia. Full shortlisted project proposals including details of implementation and how results will be measured will be submitted to the UK for final approval. Then at appropriate intervals during the project period and once each has been completed AFDM will provide reports to AFD UK demonstrating how the funds were used and the outcomes.

The Mongol Rally effect...

Once upon a time some intrepid adventurers decided to drive to Mongolia in tiny cars, calling themselves the Mongol Rally. Only 4 out of the 6 pioneering teams made it. The idea quickly became an international phenomenon and now thousands of people from all over our very nice planet want to do the same. This is fantastic news, but as the demand grew beyond the Mongol Rally there was a need to manage the arrival of vehicles into Mongolia in a sustainable fashion, working closely with the Mongolian authorities and the local people.

Moreover, it is imperative that the vehicles brought into the country are donated for charitable purposes, providing the greatest benefit for Mongolian communities. After all – after the trip of your life, you want to be sure that your hard, long slog doesn't end up doing damage to someone else's country. Call it adventurers' etiquette if you will.