Objectives

The Overall Objective (Impact) of this action is to enhance inclusive and sustainable food systems for better food and nutrition security in Malawi within the context of climate change.

The Specifics Objectives of this action are: 

1.0 Hygiene and nutrition practices within selected communities are improved

2.0 Enhanced capacity of households to produce and consume diversified nutritious food

Results

Action has 3 expected outputs:

1. Increased knowledge of local CSOs and networks on the importance of micronutrients, infant food fortification processes and compliance standards and the impact on child development.
2. Evidence generated to support advocacy efforts and inform policy dialogue on food fortification and infant nutrition.
3. Advocacy strategies developed and implemented to promote policies and practices that support infant food fortification and production of safe and nutritious food.
4. Improved organizational capacity in internal governance, programme management, project management, and financial management.
5. Increased in CSOs utilization of digital tools for advocacy and daily activities.
6. Enhanced awareness and understanding among policymakers and key stakeholders about the importance of food fortification and safe infant feeding practices.
7. Increased engagement of local CSOs in multi-stakeholder dialogues across various levels, fostering knowledge exchange, partnership building to pool resources, dissemination of best practices, amplification of intervention efforts, and reinforcement of accountability mechanisms.

Increased representation and engagement of local CSOs in policy dialogues and decision- making processes at community, district, and national levels, advocating for policies and programs promoting food fortification and safe and nutritious infant nutrition.

Implementation Status

The implementation of the action started on 3^rd January 2025 to 2^nd January to 2^nd January 2030 and is on-going. EUR 407,150.05 first pre-financing paid in February 2025. The Action is in the inception phase.

Main Implementing Partners

• We Effect
• Farmers Union of Malawi Trust

Main Beneficiaries

1. Four prominent national networks:

•  The Civil Society Organization Nutrition Alliance (CSONA), a national coalition of local and international CSOs, NGOs and local CBOs committed to ensuring sustained improvements in Nutrition in Malawi;

• The Civil Society and Agriculture Network (CISANET), a grouping of individuals, NGOs (both local and international), community-based organizations, associations operating in the agriculture sector, whose goal is to promote agricultural development and sustainable livelihoods for the poor.

• The Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), an alliance of CSOs in the health sector which aims to promote equitable access to quality, affordable and responsive health care services in Malawi.

• The Consumer Association of Malawi (CAMA), whose role is to educate, advise, represent and provide counselling to consumers to enforce their rights, thereby empowering consumers to make informed choices about goods and services

2. Government ministries of Health and Agriculture

3. National Platforms: 

• the National Food Fortification Technical Working Group. 

• the National Nutrition Coordination Committee, responsible for formulating national food and nutrition policies and strategies for nutritional improvement

4. Media:

• 60 staff from 28 media groups, including community-based radios, national radios, printing houses, and electronic platforms, selected based on their geographical coverage

5. Regulatory Bodies: 

• the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) 

• the Community Health Science Unit (CHSU) (now Public Health Institute of Malawi –PHIM)

6. Private sector (Industrial Food Processors): at least 10 food processors involved in producing infant food and snacks as part of private sector.

7. Members of Parliament

8. Community leaders and Caregivers 

Final Beneficiaries:

• 28 local CSOs in 28 districts in Malawi, which are non-state, not-for-profit, voluntary entities representing a wide range of interests, including community-based organizations (CBOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), cooperatives, and farmer-based organizations

4,900,000 individuals, (25% of Malawi's population). Approximately 2,940,000 children under the age of five and around 1,960,000 (1,568,000 female and 392,000 male) guardians and caregivers spread across various communities in Malawi.