The power of multi-sectoral governance to address malnutrition
This technical brief (PDF) from SNV, Center of Development Innovation of Wageningen University & Research (WUR), The Royal Tropical Institute (KIT), and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), shares learning on the importance of multi-sectoral governance to address malnutrition and scale-up projects. The brief presents results from the Sustainable Nutrition for All (SN4A) model in Uganda and Zambia. This new and innovative model aims to empower communities to reduce the causes of malnutrition themselves and ensure dietary diversity and overall nutrition goals are improved. Communities are supported to understand what they can do to improve the situation and formulate their own locally available solutions.To ensure sustainability and scalability of the approach, SN4A works with local and district level authorities, building their capacity to plan and implement nutrition sensitive strategies. A central pillar of the programme is to support the national, multi-sectoral policies by developing and strengthening district and sub-district nutrition coordination committees. Experiences and learning from this pillar show the need for capacity building at district and sub-district level, the need for district level nutrition plans, and strong leadership. Challenges identified were coverage of nutrition services, limited non-donor finance for implementer of nutrition activities, and limited involvement of financial officers and departments, and limited data availability and collection.
This is the first in a series of policy and technical briefs from SN4A.