In May 2022, USAID Advancing Nutrition conducted a capacity assessment of the National Working Group on Food Fortification (NWGFF). The assessment helped identify opportunities to strengthen the working group’s and secretariat’s core functions across four capacity areas including coordination and governance; resource mobilization; institutionalization of the food fortification program among the public and private sectors; and monitoring and evaluation.

The assessment included a baseline social network analysis, which provided decision-making data to improve information and coordination efforts between relevant stakeholders on food fortification activities. This allows key stakeholders to identify future actions to improve their ability to coordinate food fortification activities and share relevant and timely food fortification information.

In August 2022, USAID Advancing Nutrition shared the results of the assessment during a collaboration and learning workshop with NGWFF institution members. The purpose of the workshop was to validate the identified gaps, opportunities, and strategic actions across the capacity areas, which helped build consensus among stakeholders. At the end of the two-day workshop, stakeholders put together a first draft of the capacity strengthening plan (CSP). The CSP is a living document and a tool to enhance the functionality and sustainability of the food fortification program through the NWGFF. The CSP will be used by the NWGFF members, with the secretariat tracking its implementation, and key learnings and opportunities will be shared during quarterly meetings.

USAID Advancing Nutrition will continue to provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health, and the NWGFF institutions to fast-track implementation and measure the effectiveness of the CSP.