ECSC SUN

Empowering Stakeholders: ECSC SUN Delivers Gender, Learning and Safeguarding Training
The Ethiopian Civil Society Coalition for Scaling Up Nutrition (ECSC SUN) Secretariat successfully conducted a two day Evidence & Learning, Gender Mainstreaming, and Safeguarding Training from March 26–27, 2026, at Robi Hotel, Adama.
The workshop brought together participants from Civil Society Organizations like Concern Worldwide, GOAL, CRS, WHH, CARE, Action Against Hunger, YADAM foundation as well as key government ministries, including Health, Agriculture, Water and Energy, and other sector offices—demonstrating strong multi sectoral commitment to strengthening safe, inclusive, and accountable nutrition programming.
Expert trainers from Save the Children, together with ECSC SUN facilitators, delivered highly interactive sessions enriched with practical exercises and experience sharing discussions.
Key Training Sessions
The training program covered a comprehensive set of thematic areas, including an overview of ECSC SUN; gender mainstreaming; gender sensitive and gender transformative approaches; safeguarding principles and standards; identification of safeguarding risks in nutrition programs; safe program design and the creation of safe environments; reporting mechanisms and accountability systems; responding to safeguarding concerns; the Evidence and Learning Framework; and knowledge management.
🙏 Special Appreciation
ECSC SUN extends its sincere appreciation to the trainers and facilitators whose expertise and commitment were instrumental to the success of the workshop:
• Mulunesh Biru – Gender Mainstreaming
• Martha Moges – Safeguarding Principles
• Kalkidan Berhanu – Evidence and Learning
• Shibabaw Yirsaw – Organizing and Facilitating the Training
• Nahusenay Alemayehu – highlighting ECSC SUN Overview
• Wondwosen Tilahun – Documentation and Session Facilitation
Your dedication significantly enhanced the quality and impact of the learning experience.
In his closing remarks, Abebe Bimerew, ECSC SUN National Lead, emphasized the importance of collaboration and continuous experience sharing, particularly on safeguarding issues within nutrition service delivery and advocacy work. He encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained to strengthen safe, accountable, and evidence based programming within their respective institutions.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to advancing safeguarding practices, promoting gender responsive nutrition programming, and strengthening evidence and knowledge management across their organizations.
Participants were awarded certificates of participation in recognition of their active engagement and commitment throughout the two day training.

Ethiopia Launches 2025 Global Hunger Index Report with Renewed Commitment to Zero Hunger
Ethiopia marked the launch of the 2025 Global Hunger Index (GHI) on March 10 in Addis Ababa, bringing together government leaders, development partners, and civil society to reflect on two decades of progress and the urgent work that remains. The country’s latest GHI score stands at 24.4—classified as “Serious”—showing long term improvement from the early 2000s yet revealing persistent challenges in undernourishment and child stunting that continue to affect millions. The event opened with welcoming remarks from Alliance2015 and senior African Union officials, followed by keynote statements from representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Health, along with goodwill messages from European diplomatic partners.
The session highlighted the need for stronger multisectoral action as the GHI presentation underscored Ethiopia’s mixed trajectory: notable gains in child mortality and nutrition services, but ongoing pressures from climate shocks, rising food costs, and regional disparities. A high level panel discussion moderated by the African Union Commission emphasized accelerating collective action through evidence driven policies, nutrition sensitive agriculture, and strengthened governance to restore momentum toward the country’s Zero Hunger targets.
Civil society featured prominently throughout the launch, with Ethiopia Civil Society Coalition for Scaling Up Nutrition ECSC SUN presenting an engaging exhibition booth that drew the attention of high level officials and development partners. Through visual displays, ECSC SUN showcased the role of CSOs in mobilizing communities, advancing nutrition advocacy, and complementing government led programs such as the Seqota Declaration and the national Food and Nutrition Strategy. The gallery walk created a dynamic space for dialogue, demonstrating how civil society helps translate national policy into meaningful impact at community level.
As the event concluded, partners reaffirmed that while Ethiopia has made measurable progress, the road to Zero Hunger requires sustained coordination, resilience building, and stronger partnerships across government, civil society, and international stakeholders. The launch served as both a reflection on two decades of progress and a renewed national call to accelerate action for a food secure Ethiopia.

ECSC SUN Launches Gambella Regional Support Platform to Strengthen Multi Sector Nutrition Coordination
The Ethiopian Civil Society Coalition for Scaling Up Nutrition (ECSC SUN) has launched the Gambella Regional Support Platform in Gambella town, marking a significant step toward stronger governance, coordination, and accountability in the nutrition sector.
The session underscored the urgency of addressing malnutrition in the region—with stunting prevalence reported at 17%—and highlighted the need for coherent, multi sector action. ECSC SUN National Lead Abebe Bimerew presented the evolution of the Global Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, the role of Civil Society Alliances, and the establishment of ECSC SUN in Ethiopia. He also emphasized the coalition’s financial and technical contributions to the development, review, and endorsement of national food and nutrition policies, strategies, and multi sectoral coordination frameworks.
An update from the Regional Food and Nutrition Coordination Office (FANCO) outlined implementation progress, ongoing challenges, and priorities for the year ahead. The workshop concluded with the formation of the Regional Steering Committee, confirming Plan International as Chair and Action Against Hunger as Co Chair—reinforcing a collaborative platform for sustained impact.
ECSC SUN reaffirms its commitment to empowering civil society, enhancing coordination with government structures, and accelerating collective efforts to end malnutrition in Gambella and across Ethiopia.

WEE & AI Project Handover Highlights Tangible Progress in Nutrition, Livelihoods, and Gender Norms in Afar 🌟
The ECSC SUN Women’s Economic Empowerment & Adolescent Initiative (WEE & AI) pilot project has officially been handed over to government stakeholders in Afar, marking a significant milestone in advancing community nutrition, gender equality, and climate resilient livelihoods.
During the workshop and field visit, participants observed notable improvements in household food production, consumption patterns, and social behavior, demonstrating the project's transformative impact.
🌱 Tangible Outcomes from the Pilot Project
The initiative has led to remarkable achievements, including:
• Improved poultry production and increased household egg consumption, enhancing children’s and mothers’ nutrition.
• Expansion of vegetable production and diversified dietary intake, contributing to healthier household meals.
• Positive shifts in gender norms, with more men participating in household chores, supporting women’s workload balance and family wellbeing.
These results reflect the strong collaboration between communities, local structures, and government offices.
💪 Strong Commitment from Government Stakeholders
• The Agriculture Bureau and Women & Social Affairs Bureau reaffirmed their dedication to sustain project outcomes and scale up effective practices to additional kebeles.
• The Education Bureau pledged to expand school gardening initiatives and school meal programs, ensuring children have access to nutritious foods at school.
🏅 Recognizing Leadership & Support
Certificates of recognition were presented to key government partners for their significant contributions to the successful implementation of the pilot.
🌾 Local Innovation Amid Climate Challenges
Despite recurring issues such as water shortages, extreme heat, and pest outbreaks, communities continue to demonstrate resilience.
Local women’s groups and schools are using Neem-based pest repellent solutions and applying adaptive methods to keep gardens productive throughout the season.
🔭 Looking Ahead: A Community Driven Path Forward
ECSC SUN National Lead, Mr. Abebe Bimerew, highlighted that the project’s achievements are rooted in community effort, local leadership, and multisectoral collaboration. He emphasized the need for sustainable, long term solutions to challenges related to water utilization, while simultaneously advocating for pragmatic interim measures.
During periods of high flow, the nearby Awash River supports an operational and effective irrigation system. However, in the dry season, the river’s volume decreases substantially, making it difficult to divert the flow naturally due to insufficient gravitational force. Under these conditions, locally appropriate interim solutions become necessary. He proposed measures involve mobilizing teachers and students to collect and contribute small quantities of water from the nearby river to support the maintenance of school gardens.
The handover marks a strong foundation for scaling nutrition-sensitive, gender-transformative, and climate-resilient practices across Afar.

Seeds of Change: School Garden Transforms Learning in Afar
A vibrant school gardening initiative at Wanis Primary School is empowering young learners with practical farming skills while promoting diversified diets and community awareness in Afar Region.
Delegates from Save the Children, Amref Health Africa, and Afar regional and Woreda officials conducted a field visit to selected households and the school in Corodura Kebele, Asayita Woreda.
The mission assessed progress of the Ethiopian Civil Society Coalition for Scaling Up Nutrition Women Economic Empowerment and Adolescent Initiative (WEE & AI) pilot project, implemented from February 2024 until its recent completion. As part of the intervention, participants received livelihood inputs—including chickens, milking goats, and vegetable seeds, agricultural hand tools—based on their preferences to strengthen household nutrition and income.
At Wanis Primary School, the gardening initiative—recognized as a best practice—shows students and teachers cultivating diverse vegetables, engaging in hands-on learning and awareness campaigns that promote healthy diets within families and the wider community.
Household visits highlighted strong impact. Participant Fatuma presented her thriving backyard garden with onions, cabbage, maize, and peppers, sustained through rainwater harvesting. The project’s gender model family approach is also driving social change, with families like Asaweka’s sharing household and childcare responsibilities more equitably.
The visiting team commended the pilot’s achievements and lessons as it comes to a close, noting opportunities to sustain gains. While the Awash River crosses the kebele, seasonal flow variability challenges irrigation, underscoring the need for solar-powered pumping solutions to support year-round production.

Empowering Women, Transforming Futures: WEE & AI Project Moves Forward
ECSC SUN successfully handed over the Women’s Economic Empowerment and Adolescent Initiative (WEE & AI )Pilot Project to regional and woreda authorities in Jigjiga—marking an important step toward sustainable, nutrition sensitive livelihood improvement in the Somali Region.
During the ceremony, our team presented key insights from the pilot, including:
🔹 Major achievements showing real behavioral and livelihood improvements
🔹 Implementation challenges and lessons learned
🔹 A forward-looking roadmap emphasizing sustainability and potential scale-up to additional woredas
We extend our appreciation to the Somali Regional Livestock and Agriculture Bureau and the woreda-level sector offices for their exceptional technical support and coordination throughout the project.
💡 Impact Highlight: Goljano Woreda
In Goljano, where poultry production was previously unfamiliar and community acceptance was initially low, persistent Social and Behavioural Change Communication (SBCC) made a remarkable difference. In addition, the Gender Model Family (GMF) training strengthens gender relations and promotes joint household decision-making.
Today, households are actively engaged in poultry production and consuming eggs, contributing to improved household nutrition and livelihood opportunities.
🎖️ Recognizing Excellence
ECSC SUN awarded Certificates of Recognition to outstanding contributors at regional and woreda levels—acknowledging their dedication, collaboration, and unwavering support throughout the pilot phase.
🔰 Official Handover
The project is now formally handed over to government authorities, ensuring sustained ownership and opening the door for potential expansion to more woredas.
This achievement reflects the power of strong partnerships, innovation, and collective action in advancing women’s economic empowerment and improved nutrition in the Somali Region.
& AI

Field Insights: How Somali Region Families Are Sustaining Nutrition Gains
Today, the ECSC SUN Secretariat team, together with officials from Goljano Wereda in the Somali Region, visited the Women Economic Empowerment and Adolescent Initiative pilot project implementation site to assess progress and discuss the sustainability of the activities introduced through the project.
During the visit, the team led by ECSC-SUN national lead observed encouraging improvements in goat rearing, poultry production, and household level consumption practices, which have contributed to better dietary diversity among participating families. These livelihood activities continue to play a crucial role in strengthening household resilience and nutrition.
However, the community also raised challenges, particularly the shortage of water in this drought affected area. Due to the harsh climate conditions, vegetable production and backyard gardening have struggled to succeed, limiting opportunities for expanding food sources.
Despite these obstacles, target families expressed their commitment to keeping the momentum of positive change. Their determination to sustain goat and poultry production shows strong ownership and a willingness to continue improving their household nutrition.
Together, these efforts mark an important step toward long lasting, community driven impact. 💪🌾

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. 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.

Delegation Observes Strong Progress During Visit to WEE & AI Pilot Project Site
Tigray, Ethiopia – 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.

The 2018 First Six Months Food and Nutrition Strategy Joint Performance Review took place at the Ivy Hotel, bringing together members of the Food and Nutrition Technical Committee to assess sector achievements and progress.
During the session, committee members presented their respective performance reports and highlighted key lessons learned, along with implementation challenges encountered across sectors.
The ECSC‑SUN team actively participated in the review process and provided financial support to ensure the successful ex*****on of the event.

ECSC‑SUN is delighted to contribute to this milestone moment—both by actively participating in the discussions and by providing financial support to bring this important workshop to life.
The third‑round consultative workshop on the draft proclamation for establishing the National Food System and Nutrition Council is underway in Bishoftu at IVY Hotel. The session brings together Food and Nutrition Technical Committee representatives, legal experts, and key stakeholders from food and nutrition strategy implementing sectors and partner organizations.
Together, we’re shaping a stronger, more coordinated national framework for food systems and nutrition governance in Ethiopia.

Excited to Share the ECSC‑SUN Impact Story! 🌱
ENHANCING HOUSEHOLD DIETARY DIVERSITY
These stories highlight how ECSC‑SUN’s footprint is creating real, meaningful change at the household level across three regions : Tigray, Afar and Somali. Through stronger community engagement, CSO collaboration, and nutrition advocacy, families are now embracing more diverse, nutrient‑rich diets—improving health, resilience, and overall well‑being.
From empowering mothers with practical nutrition knowledge to supporting local champions who promote diversified food choices, ECSC‑SUN continues to drive evidence‑based transformation where it matters most: inside the home.
Healthy households build healthier communities.
Healthier communities build a stronger nation. 💚🌱
hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7409214527822749696/?actorCompanyId=105248862