Food and Nutrition Stakeholders Review Progress and Set Priorities for 2019 EFY
Government institutions, implementing sectors, and development partners convened in Adama for the 2018 EFY Food and Nutrition Technical Committee Annual Review and Annual Planning Meeting to review progress, discuss findings from the 2018 Joint Supportive Supervision (JSS), and identify priorities for the 2019 EFY Food and Nutrition Plan. The meeting brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Ministry of Education (MoE), Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Women and Social Affairs and other government institutions, alongside development partners including CARE, World Vision, Save the Children, FHI 360 Alive & Thrive, ECSC-SUN, and other nutrition stakeholders. Throughout the four-day event, participants engaged in interactive presentations, panel discussions, and group work sessions, creating a platform for experience sharing, joint problem-solving, and collaborative planning. The discussions underscored the importance of a coordinated, multisectoral approach to addressing malnutrition and improving food and nutrition security across Ethiopia. Progress and Key Achievements Participants reviewed achievements recorded during the past year, highlighting strengthened collaboration among sectors and partners to improve nutrition outcomes nationwide. Progress was reported in the expansion of school feeding and nutrition initiatives, improvements in food safety and quality systems, and ongoing efforts to enhance agricultural productivity and food availability through research and innovation. The meeting also recognized advances in integrated One WASH initiatives, which have improved access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services as critical interventions for preventing malnutrition and reducing disease burden among vulnerable populations. Stakeholders further noted efforts to empower women across food production, processing, and food preparation activities, recognizing their vital role in ensuring household food security and better nutrition outcomes for children and families. An important cross-cutting theme highlighted during the meeting was the growing application of the Humanitarian–Development–Peace (HDP) Triple Nexus approach, which aims to strengthen collaboration across emergency response, long-term development, and peace-building efforts to build more resilient communities and sustainable nutrition outcomes. Priorities for 2019 EFY Participants agreed on several priorities for the coming year, including: Strengthening integrated food and nutrition interventions across sectors. Expanding school health and nutrition programs and innovative approaches to improve access to nutritious foods. Scaling up One WASH interventions to support malnutrition prevention and improved health outcomes. Strengthening food safety, food quality assurance, and food fortification initiatives. Promoting women’s empowerment and participation throughout food systems and value chains. Enhancing research, evidence generation, monitoring, and learning to inform policy and programming. Advancing the Humanitarian–Development–Peace Nexus approach to strengthen resilience and ensure sustainable nutrition gains. Improving coordination, accountability, and joint planning among government institutions and development partners. During the closing session on July 16, 2026, participants agreed that the refined 2019 EFY Food and Nutrition Plan would be submitted within one week, while the final official plan is expected to be finalized within one month. In his closing remarks, Yonatan Mamo, Multisectoral and Seqota declaration coordination Desk Lead at the Ministry of Health, expressed appreciation to ECSC-SUN and other development partners for their continued technical support and commitment to advancing Ethiopia’s food and nutrition agenda. #ECSCSUN #MultiSectoralNutrition #FoodAndNutrition #OneWASH #SchoolNutrition #FoodSecurity #WomenEmpowerment #FoodSafety #HDPNexus #CARE #WorldVision #SaveTheChildren #AliveAndThrive
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Strengthening Civil Society Collaboration to Advance Nutrition in Amhara
The Ethiopia Civil Society Coalition for Scaling Up Nutrition (ECSC-SUN) convened a regional review meeting in Bahir Dar, bringing together representatives from 11 civil society organizations (CSOs) to strengthen coordination and accelerate nutrition actions in the Amhara Region. The meeting served as a key moment for stakeholders to reflect on the performance of the ECSC-SUN Amhara Regional Support Platform and to identify practical solutions for enhancing its effectiveness. Participants emphasized that strong collaboration, active engagement, and coordinated efforts among CSOs are essential to address ongoing nutrition challenges and advance the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) agenda in the region. During the session, participants received an overview of the SUN Movement and the role of ECSC-SUN in promoting multi-sectoral coordination and advocacy for improved nutrition outcomes. The discussion highlighted the importance of aligning efforts across sectors and strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders at regional level. Key Challenges Identified Participants acknowledged several constraints affecting the functionality of the regional platform, including: Limited engagement and participation of member organizations Competing priorities among CSOs Resource and funding gaps impacting implementation These challenges have contributed to reduced activity and effectiveness of the platform in recent years. Strategic Priorities for Revitalization To address these gaps, participants proposed a series of strategic actions aimed at revitalizing and strengthening the platform: Reinforcing and institutionalizing the regional coordination mechanism Enhancing collaboration with regional sector bureaus and partners Expanding membership through mapping and mobilization of CSOs and networks Aligning activities with existing coordination structures to improve efficiency and avoid duplication Strengthening resource mobilization and partnership development efforts Agreed Actions and Way Forward The meeting concluded with clear commitments to move forward, including: Establishment of a Steering Committee composed of Concern Worldwide, World Vision, FIA, ASDEPO, MTI, and PIN to guide platform strengthening efforts Strengthening the coalition’s governance system, including the operationalization of its Terms of Reference Enhancing collaboration with partners and relevant platforms to maximize impact Creating a dedicated communication channel to improve coordination and information sharing among members Participants also agreed to align future meetings with existing regional coordination platforms to reduce duplication and improve engagement. Commitment to Collective Action The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of civil society organizations to work collaboratively in advancing nutrition outcomes in Amhara. By revitalizing the ECSC-SUN platform, stakeholders aim to strengthen civil society leadership, improve coordination, and deliver more effective and sustainable nutrition interventions across the region.
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Strengthening Regional Action to Address Malnutrition in Afar
The Afar Regional ECSC-SUN (Ethiopian Civil Society Coalition for Scaling Up Nutrition) Coordination and Learning Workshop, organized by Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia, was successfully held on June 17, 2026, in Semera (Dini Hotel). The workshop brought together regional stakeholders to enhance collaboration and advance nutrition outcomes. The Afar Region ECSC-SUN coordination platform, led by Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia with Save the Children serving as co-chair, continues to play a critical role in driving multisectoral nutrition efforts across the region. In his opening remarks, Regional Health Bureau official Wasse highlighted that Afar remains one of the regions with a high burden of malnutrition and stunting, emphasizing the urgent need for stronger collaboration and reinforced coalition efforts to address the challenge. The ECSC-SUN Secretariat provided insights into the global Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, highlighting ECSC-SUN strategic objectives, key achievements, ongoing challenges, and priority actions to accelerate progress. In a separate presentation, Amref representative Mohamed Abrar delivered an overview of the regional ECSC-SUN initiatives. Participants also reviewed updates on regional nutrition status, multisectoral coordination, and food and nutrition security progress, alongside partner experiences and success stories that showcased impactful interventions on the ground. The workshop further explored the nutrition financing landscape and concluded with a clear set of next steps and priorities to strengthen coordination and scale up effective responses. The event reaffirmed partners’ shared commitment to strengthening the ECSC-SUN coalition and accelerating coordinated action to reduce malnutrition and improve community health outcomes in Afar. #SUNMovement#ECSCSUN #SavetheChildren#AmrefHealthAfrica hashtag#Afar hashtag#Ethiopia hashtag#Partnerships
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Strengthening Nutrition Coordination in Central Ethiopia
The Central Ethiopia Region ECSC-SUN platform, established in December 2024 by a coalition of 28 civil society organizations (CSOs), continues to make significant strides in enhancing collaboration and coordination to address malnutrition across the region. On May 13, 2026, a one-day revitalization workshop was successfully convened at Rediet Hotel in Butajira. The workshop was led by The Hunger Project Ethiopia, with technical and coordination support from the ECSC-SUN Secretariat (Save the Children). The event brought together 18 civil society organizations alongside key government stakeholders, reflecting a strong multi-sectoral commitment to improving nutrition outcomes. The workshop provided a valuable platform for participants to engage in in-depth presentations, interactive group discussions, and collaborative reflection. These sessions enabled stakeholders to assess progress achieved to date, identify critical gaps in implementation and coordination, and develop practical, actionable solutions to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of the platform. Key outcomes of the workshop included: ✅ Strengthened partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders ✅ Clear articulation of roles and responsibilities across members ✅ Identification of implementation gaps and context-specific solutions ✅ Development of a joint action plan to guide future activities ✅ Enhanced communication and coordination mechanisms Through this revitalization effort, partners reaffirmed the pivotal role of civil society in advancing nutrition priorities, promoting accountability, and ensuring that vulnerable populations are not left behind. This initiative marks an important step toward a more coordinated, inclusive, and impactful response to malnutrition in Central Ethiopia. #ECSCSUN #SaveTheChildren #CivilSociety #TheHungerProjectEthiopia #AliveAndThrive #CentralEthiopiaRegion #Nutrition #Ethiopia
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ECSC‑SUN Steering Committee Drives Stronger National and Regional Nutrition Coordination
The ECSC‑SUN Steering Committee, convened by Save the Children International (SCI), held its quarterly meeting on 30 April 2026 in Addis Ababa, bringing together civil society leaders and partners to review progress and advance coordinated action on nutrition in Ethiopia. The meeting highlighted key achievements, including strengthened food systems and nutrition coordination, expanded regional ECSC‑SUN platforms, and notable progress in gender‑transformative programming. A major milestone was the establishment of a new ECSC‑SUN regional platform in Gambella, expanding civil society engagement at regional level. Partners also reported the successful handover of Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) and Adolescent Initiative (AI) pilot projects to regional governments in Afar, Tigray, and Somali regions, marking an important step toward sustainability and government‑led scale‑up. Updates from Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia further showcased progress in CSO coordination, leadership development, media engagement, and platform revitalization. The Committee agreed on priority actions, including preparations for the ECSC‑SUN General Assembly planned for June 2026, alignment with SUN Movement Strategy 4.0, and strengthened resource mobilization and joint advocacy to address humanitarian and nutrition challenges. The meeting concluded with a strong reaffirmation of collective commitment to collaboration, sustainability, and accelerated action to improve nutrition outcomes nationwide. #NutritionAction #SUNMovement #CivilSociety #FoodSystems #GenderAndNutrition #Ethiopia #ECSC_SUN #SCI #CWW #MumsForMums #ACF # WVE #NI
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Empowering Women, Strengthening Livelihoods
ECSC SUN successfully conducted the official handover ceremony of the Women’s Economic Empowerment and Adolescent Initiative (WEE & AI ) Pilot Project in Jigjiga, Somali Region—marking a significant milestone in advancing sustainable, nutrition-sensitive livelihoods for women and communities. During the ceremony, the ECSC-SUN team delivered a comprehensive presentation outlining: Key achievements, with evidence of positive behavioral change and improved livelihoods among target communities Challenges encountered throughout implementation Strategic way forward, emphasizing sustainability and the potential to scale the initiative to additional woredas The Somali Regional Livestock and Agriculture Bureau, together with woreda-level sector offices, provided essential technical guidance and coordination. Their strong collaboration and field-level engagement were critical to the success of the pilot. Impact Highlight: Goljano Woreda Goljano Woreda stands out as a powerful example of transformation. Initially, poultry production was unfamiliar to the community, and acceptance of poultry inputs was low. Through consistent Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) efforts—paired with Gender Model Family (GMF) training, which strengthens gender relations and promotes joint household decision-making—significant social and behavioral shifts began to take shape. Today, households in Goljano are actively engaging in poultry production and consuming eggs, leading to better nutrition, improved gender collaboration, and increased income opportunities for families. Recognition of Exceptional Partners ECSC SUN awarded Certificates of Recognition to key contributors at both regional and woreda levels. These individuals and institutions demonstrated exemplary commitment, collaboration, and professionalism throughout the project cycle, playing a vital role in achieving the pilot’s outcomes. Official Project Handover The WEE & AI pilot project was formally transferred to the respective regional and woreda government authorities. This transition reinforces local ownership and opens the door for potential expansion to additional woredas. This moment represents a shared achievement—driven by collaboration, innovation, and a collective commitment to strengthening women’s economic empowerment and improving nutrition across the Somali Region. #ECSCSUN #WEE &AI #SomaliRegion
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ECSC-SUN Hands Over WEE & AI Pilot Project; Leaders Call for Scale-Up
The Ethiopian Civil Society Coalition for Scaling Up Nutrition (ECSC-SUN), through its implementing partner Mums for Mums (MfM), has formally handed over the Women’s Economic Empowerment and Adolescent Initiative (WEE & AI) pilot project to regional government authorities. The handover marks a significant milestone in advancing community‑driven development and strengthening resilience in the region. During the workshop, Mr. Abebe Bimerew, ECSC-SUN National Lead, praised MfM, government stakeholders, and project participants for their strong commitment and the progress made throughout the pilot. “Your collaboration, commitment, and hard work have produced real results. The project has enhanced diversified food production, improved household consumption, strengthened positive social norms, and increased family income. Our technical and financial support aimed to pilot transformative livelihood approaches for the target groups. I hope you will continue to scale this initiative up, using the lessons learned as a guiding model,” he said. Mr. Ashenafi Asmelash, Director of Mums for Mums, emphasized the vital role of communities in sustaining development gains. “Progress is driven by hard work, not support alone. The ownership of this development rests with the community, guided by the leadership of the government and facilitated by local NGO like Mums for Mums. Keep pushing forward,” he added. The event concluded with the presentation of certificates of appreciation to individuals and institutions that played a key role in the successful implementation of the WEE & AI pilot project. #ECSCSUN #MumsForMums #WomenEmpowerment #Handover #ScalingUpNutrition
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Delegation Observes Strong Progress During Visit to WEE & AI Pilot Project Site
A delegation of government and civil society representatives conducted a field visit to the Women’s Economic Empowerment and Adolescent Initiative (WEE & AI) pilot project site in Kilete Awlalo Woreda. The visiting team included the National Lead of the Ethiopian Civil Society Coalition for Scaling Up Nutrition (ECSC‑SUN), along with heads of key regional sector offices such as education, health, and agriculture. The visit offered an opportunity to engage directly with women participating in the project and assess the progress made so far. During the visit, the delegation observed a range of livelihood activities supported by the project, including backyard gardening, poultry production, and sheep and goat rearing. These interventions have led to clear improvements in household income, nutritional diversity, and overall resilience. The visitors also noted the positive impact of the Gender Model Family (GMF) training, which has helped transform gender roles within households. Families reported meaningful change, with husbands increasingly sharing responsibilities and actively supporting their families’ development efforts. Delegates highlighted this shift as a strong indicator of long‑term behavioral and social transformation. The team commended participants for their dedication and acknowledged the project’s tangible impact in strengthening household livelihoods and promoting gender equity.
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Advancing Gender-Transformative Approaches in Ethiopia’s Food and Nutrition Systems
The Ethiopia Civil Society Coalition for Scaling Up Nutrition (ECSC-SUN) is a national platform comprising 82 national and international civil society organizations dedicated to supporting Ethiopia’s ambition to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030. The coalition is chaired by Save the Children, co‑chaired by Concern Worldwide, with CARE Ethiopia leading the Gender Thematic Area. Recognizing the deep interlinkages between nutrition and gender inequality, ECSC-SUN works to address both through targeted capacity strengthening, advocacy, and resource support. Tackling malnutrition—particularly among women, adolescent girls, and children—requires more than technical interventions; it demands transformative action that challenges the structural and social norms driving inequality. To advance this effort, the Gender Transformative Nutrition Programming Manual, developed by the ECSC-SUN Gender and Nutrition Thematic Working Groups under CARE Ethiopia’s leadership, equips stakeholders with conceptual clarity, practical tools, and actionable frameworks for gender-equitable nutrition programming. CARE Ethiopia, through the CASCADE program, recently delivered a Gender Transformative Approach (GTA) training designed to enhance the capacity of civil society organizations to effectively integrate gender considerations into food system and nutrition interventions. 🔹 GTA Training for CSOs From December 15–17, CARE Ethiopia conducted a second round of GTA training for CSOs that had not participated in earlier sessions. The training aimed at participants to demonstrate improved understanding of GTA concepts and tools. Key topics included: • Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) • Social Analysis tools • Gender in Nutrition • GTA tools such as Men & Boys Engagement 🔹 Knowledge Sharing & Networking Forum On December 18, a learning forum convened by 23 participants representing CSOs, government institutions, and FNS platforms. The forum provided an opportunity to: • Showcase ECSC-SUN’s key achievements in strengthening nutrition governance and advancing the Women’s Economic Empowerment and Adolescent Initiative pilot project • Share CARE’s GTA experiences • Exchange best practices for scaling gender-transformative approaches These collective efforts reinforce the coalition’s commitment to promoting gender equity and advancing sustainable nutrition outcomes across Ethiopia. #GenderTransformativeApproaches #Nutrition #GenderEquality #CARE #CASCADE #ECSCSUN #FoodSystems #CapacityBuilding #SUNMovement
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Ethiopia Nutrition Leaders Network (ENLN) Hosts 7th Annual Forum
The Ethiopia Nutrition Leaders Network (ENLN) convened its 7th Annual Forum under the theme: “The Role of Nutrition Leadership in a Changing Funding Environment.” The Ethiopian Civil Society Coalition for Scaling Up Nutrition (ECSC-SUN) is honored to contribute to this high-level event, with its National Lead, Abebe Bimerew, delivering a keynote address. Highlighting the importance of strong leadership in the sector, he stated: “Nutrition leadership is both a moral responsibility and a strategic economic imperative, as demonstrated by ECSC-SUN’s work.” ECSC-SUN proudly supported the forum both financially and technically, reaffirming its commitment to advancing Ethiopia’s food and nutrition agenda through collaboration, capacity building, and advocacy.
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