Established 100 years ago, Deren soum is a secondary administrative subdivision in Gobi area, located 210 km from Ulaanbaatar city. Soum covers an area of 362.200 hectares, with over 2,300 population and 580 households. Around 450 people live in the administrative center. The center has a secondary school, public hospital, kindergarten, non-government institutions such as Khan Bank, post office, and veterinary hospital.
Deren soum belongs to the steppe zone. Animal husbandry is the main source of livelihood and employment of the people of Deren Sum. As of the end of 2021, there are 212,868 livestock, including 1,639 camels, 10,659 horses, 5,412 cattle, 135,015 sheep, and 125,283 goats. The cultures and economic activities of nomadic people living in Deren soum area have been severely affected by climate changes during the last decades. Overbreeding of animals has also contributed to the severity of water scarcity in this area.
Nomad Spirit project targets communities whose lives and livelihoods are affected by climate changes and who are contributing to the increase of climate changes through their economic activities. Through the organization of a series of provoking public art programs, the project aims to engage people living in Deren Soum area with green attitudes and initiatives.
