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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Nutrition Leadership Training Successfully Completed in Adama
The Nutrition Leadership Training was successfully conducted from August 26–31, 2025, at Robi Hotel in Adama Town. The training brought together members of the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Research Steering Committee (MER-SC) with the objective of strengthening their leadership capacity to advance evidence-based nutrition actions in Ethiopia. This important milestone was achieved through strong collaboration among the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), the Ministry of Health (MOH), and the Ethiopian Civil Society Coalition for Scaling Up Nutrition (ECSC-SUN) hosted by Save the Children. The organizers expressed their appreciation to all MER-SC member s for their active participation and commitment and extended sincere thanks to partners for their valuable support in making the training a success. Together, these collective efforts contribute to building stronger systems and leadership for ending malnutrition in Ethiopia.
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CSOs in Amhara Convene to Tackle Malnutrition
Ethiopian Civil Society Coalition for Scaling Up Nutrition (ECSC-SUN) Amhara regional coordination workshop was successfully held in Bahir Dar, bringing together Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) engaged in both nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific interventions across the region. Mr. Abebe Bimerew, ECSC-SUN National Lead, delivered the keynote emphasizing the critical importance of integration, coordination, and strong commitment in achieving shared goals and reducing malnutrition at both the regional and national levels. The workshop featured: ✅ An overview of the establishment, evolution, and current status of ECSC-SUN, including key challenges ✅ Familiarization on two strategic documents: ECSC-SUN Food and Nutrition Advocacy Strategy ECSC-SUN Food System Gender-Transformative Nutrition Programing Strategy The status, achievements, and challenges of the regional support platform were also highlighted ✅ In-depth discussions on strengthening the Amhara ECSC-SUN Support Platform The event served as a key opportunity to enhance collaboration, align strategies, and drive collective action toward improved nutrition outcomes in the Amhara region and beyond.
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Gender Transformative Training Empowers Nutrition Leaders!
CARE Ethiopia, through its CASCADE Project, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Civil Society Coalition for Scaling Up Nutrition (ECSC-SUN) Secretariat, successfully conducted a Gender Transformative Food Systems and Nutrition Programming Training in Adama, from 15-17 July 2025. The training aimed to strengthen the capacity of stakeholders to design and implement gender-equitable and rights-based food and nutrition programs. It brought together representatives from key government institutions, including the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, as well as international NGOs that are members of ECSC-SUN. Key Training Topics The training covered a wide range of gender-related concepts and practical tools, including: Gender Concepts and Equity – Foundational understanding of gender equality, equity, and their implications in programming. Gender Norms, Roles, and Social Structures – Analyzing how societal expectations impact food systems and nutrition outcomes. Rights-Based and Equity-Focused Nutrition Programming – Designing inclusive programs that uphold human rights and address disparities. Gender Transformative Tools for Food and Nutrition – Introducing practical approaches to shift power dynamics and promote equality within communities. Gender Audits – Tools and methods to assess gender sensitivity and responsiveness in organizational programs and policies. Gender Integration Continuum and Gender Markers – Tools to assess and track gender integration across program cycles. Gender Budgeting and Action Planning – Techniques to ensure resource allocation is responsive to gender needs and priorities. Several community-level approaches were also discussed, including: Social Analysis and Action (SAA) – Engaging communities in reflecting on and transforming traditional gender norms. Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) – Economic empowerment models that promote women’s agency and decision-making. Farmer Field and Business Schools (FFBS) – Strengthening the capacity of women and men farmers through inclusive learning. Men and Boys Engagement – Strategies to actively involve men and boys in supporting gender equality. Collaborative and Impactful The training was highly interactive and participatory, providing a platform for learning, reflection, and sharing of best practices. Participants appreciated the practical tools and real-world examples, and emphasized the importance of collaborative, gender-transformative approaches to improving food systems and nutrition outcomes. As part of the broader goal of scaling up nutrition in Ethiopia, the training also covered advocacy, partnership development, and resource mobilization strategies to ensure sustainable and far-reaching impact.
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🌍 Strengthening Nutrition Efforts in Sidama Region! 🍎
The Ethiopian Civil Society Coalition for Scaling Up Nutrition (ECSC-SUN) held a regional platform strengthening workshop on July 3, 2025, at Rori Hotel, Hawassa. The event brought together over 20 civil society organizations (CSOs) working across nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific interventions in the Sidama region. 🌱 Participants included local, international, and faith-based organizations, all committed to improving nutrition outcomes. Key highlights: ✅ ECSC-SUN status updates and roadmap presentations ✅ Food and nutrition advocacy strategy familiarization ✅ Introduction of the regional Terms of Reference (ToR) and membership guidelines ✅ Election of the regional steering committee members 📌 The workshop concluded with a joint commitment to develop and submit a organizational action plan within two weeks. 🤝 The Sidama regional platform is led by World Vision Ethiopia and co-led by Save the Children. #ECSCSUN #SidamaRegion #CivilSociety #ScalingUpNutrition #PartnershipForChange
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Monitoring Visit at Afar Region
👥 Monitoring Visit at Afar Region – Empowering Women for Better Nutrition 🌱 A team from ECSC-SUN Secretariat and Amref Health Africa visited Koredura Kebele, Asayita Woreda in the Afar Region to engage with women’s groups supported through the Women Economic Empowerment & Adolescent Initiative (WEE & AI). These groups have received skill training and agricultural inputs — including chickens, milking goats, and fruit & vegetable seeds — to improve household nutrition and promote diverse, nutrient-rich diets. 🍅🐐🌽 Through the Gender Model Family approach, positive change is happening: husbands are now actively supporting in household chores like fetching water, childcare, and food preparation. 💪👨👩👧👦 Together, we’re working towards healthier families and empowered communities. #NutritionMatters #WEEAI #ECSCSUN #AmrefHealthAfrica #AfarRegion #GenderEquality #FoodSecurity
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