Ten Year Strategy

The nutrition sector is working together to identify a strategy to end vitamin and mineral deficiencies by 2015.

The 10 Year Strategy aims to find a fresh and innovative approach, develop a new model of partnership, scale-up existing programs and create ownership for nutrition interventions at the national and regional level.The ultimate result should be a common strategy and business plan to enable each partner to scale up its activities and mobilize the resources necessary to achieve our common goal of eliminating vitamin and mineral deficiencies by 2015.

 

Specific objectives

Specifically, the objectives are to:

  • Provide a global vision that includes clear targets
  • Increase resources for the sector, including new funding and private-sector investment
  • Define how the public and private sectors can work together more effectively and efficiently
  • Catalyze action among partners at regional and national levels.

For these objectives, the Strategy will focus on the five main deficiencies (Vitamin A, Iron, Iodine, Folic Acid and Zinc), and concentrate on food fortification, supplementation and food-based approaches.

 

Three phases

All the agencies involved in the sector are contributing data, best practices, networks, ideas and staff time, with key informants being interviewed and providing input for the three phases of the strategy planning process

1. Diagnosis of the sector – mapping the landscape through a situation analysis and a stakeholder survey

2. Identifying options for action – exploring the various opportunities

3. Strategy development – expanding the best options into a concrete business plan

GAIN facilitates this process. It entails transparency, information-sharing and continuous consultation at regional and country levels. A Reference Group representing the partners will review the process and provide strategic advice on an ongoing basis. GAIN will also facilitate the development of joint advocacy and communication strategies and tools.

 

Expected outcomes

  • A more efficient, effective and flexible framework for sustainable partnerships
  • Strengthened public-private collaboration through innovative and scaled-up partnerships
  • Increased advocacy and visibility
  • Fewer funding gaps
  • Additional resources e.g. in research & development, implementation and communication
  • Fewer knowledge gaps and better information management
  • A framework for data-tracking of progress on reducing vitamin and mineral deficiencies
  • Positioning of the vitamin and mineral deficiency sector as an exciting and achievable part of the broader development agenda.

 

Partners

Academy for Educational Development - Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - Development Bank of Southern Africa - Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition - H.J. Heinz Company - Harvest Plus - Helen Keller International - International Business Leaders Forum - International Food Policy Research Institute - Micronutrient Initiative - New Economic Partnership for African Development - Unilever - United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - United Nations Fund for Children - United States Agency for International Development - World Bank - World Food Programme - World Health Organization