The document summarizes lessons learned from the UN's REACH program in strengthening nutrition governance in eight countries over three years. Key outcomes included increased awareness, strengthened nutrition policies and plans, and improved human and institutional capacity. Barriers included political instability and lack of capacity, while enabling factors were political will, nutrition champions, and coordinated advocacy. The main lessons were that longer facilitation is needed, high-level support is important, stakeholders need alignment, and capacity building is critical alongside coordination.

1. Strengthening
Nutrition Governance:
Lessons Learned from
REACH
Jessica Fanzo, PhD, Shauna Downs, PhD and
the UN REACH Secretariat

2. … facilitates the
multi-sectoral,
multi-
stakeholder
process …
REACH: Renewed Efforts Against
Child Hunger & Undernutrition
Monitor and
evaluate
Tracks targets, identifies gaps,
and promotes accountability
Capacity development
Human, institutional and
organizational capacity
Improved governance, coverage and nutritional
impact
National nutrition policy1 &
National nutrition action plan
Comprehensive, multi-sectoral, government owned, funded and
operational
Awareness, leadership and commitment
Enabling environment and agenda setting for advocacy
Facilitator
1
2
3 4
REACH 2013
In 2008, the heads of FAO, UNICEF, WFP and WHO formed an inter-agency partnership
seeking to strengthen nutrition governance

3. Study Aim & Data Sources
Study Aim:
To examine progress towards strengthening nutrition
governance in eight REACH countries throughout the three
year in-country facilitation process and identify lessons learned
Data Sources:
• REACH baseline (2010/11) and follow-up (2015) governance
survey data in 8 countries
• Quarterly REACH facilitator logs
• REACH annual reports and annual workshop

4. Outcome 1: Increased awareness &
consensus

5. Outcome 2: Strengthened nutrition
policies, plans & programs

6. Outcome 3: Increased human &
institutional capacity

7. Outcome 4: Increased effectiveness
& accountability

8. A comparison of REACH outcomes before
and after the in-country facilitation

9. Key barriers and enablers to
strengthening nutrition governance
• Barriers
– Political instability
– Staff turnover
– Lack of human and technical capacity
• Enabling Factors
– PoliticalWill
– Nutrition Champions
– EstablishingTORs for stakeholder activities
– Coordinated advocacy efforts and messaging

10. Lessons Learned
• A longer in-country facilitation period (~5 yrs) is
likely needed
• Obtaining and sustaining support from high-level
nutrition champions is important
• The need for stakeholders (including the UN) to
be aligned and speak with one voice
• Alongside improvements in coordination,
investment in human capacity is needed
– Having a nutrition policy is not enough!

11. ThankYou, Gracias!