International Training on Sustainable Food Value Chains for Nutrition

Course Background

Sustainable food systems are crucial for achieving the 2030 Agenda, yet current value chain development often overlooks or inadequately integrates nutritional objectives. This leads to missed opportunities to address malnutrition effectively, highlighting a critical need for integrated approaches that link value chains to improved diets and health outcomes.

ECAS Institute identifies this gap in leveraging food value chains for nutrition. As a leader in sustainable development capacity building, ECAS offers this training to equip professionals with the concepts and tools of the Sustainable Food Value Chains for Nutrition (SFVCN) framework, a recognized approach adopted by the Rome Based Agencies.

The course empowers project designers and managers to strategically utilize value chain approaches to improve nutrition. Participants will gain practical knowledge of the SFVCN framework, its analytical components, impact pathways, and the steps to design projects integrating nutrition goals into sustainable food value chain development.

Course Objectives

Explain key concepts related to sustainable food value chains for nutrition, including diet, nutrition, and value chain sustainability principles.

Identify elements of the SFVCN analytical framework, including strategies and effective entry points for interventions.

Describe the three distinct impact pathways through which a sustainable food value chain can improve nutrition.

Outline the process of developing an SFVCN project, from analyses to selecting suitable commodities and interventions.

What You Will Learn

Foundational concepts of nutrition and sustainability in food value chains.

Components of the SFVCN analytical framework, including strategic options and practical intervention points.

How sustainable food value chains influence nutritional outcomes through three impact pathways.

Step-by-step methodology for designing an SFVCN project from analyses to selecting commodities and interventions.

Duration and Program

The course is structured into four comprehensive lessons, guiding participants through concepts and practical application of SFVCN. Detailed program schedules will be shared before the training commencement.

Target Participants

Extension Agents: Professionals working with farmers and communities to enhance food systems.

Researchers: Academics focused on food systems, nutrition, and sustainable development.

Private Sector: Professionals involved in food production, processing, distribution, and retail, seeking to integrate nutrition and sustainability.

Other professionals from governments, regional organizations, international organizations, and NGOs working on food security and nutrition initiatives.

Training Modules

NoModuleDetails1Introduction to Nutrition and Sustainable Food Value ChainsDefines nutrition and value chains, introduces sustainable food systems, and highlights the link between value chains and improved nutrition.2Framing Sustainability and Nutrition in Value ChainsDelves into the SFVCN analytical framework, key principles of sustainable value chains, analytical tools, and identifying intervention points.3Supporting Nutritional Outcomes through SFVCN Impact PathwaysExplores the three primary impact pathways linking SFVCNs to nutrition with examples, case studies, and mechanisms of influence.4Designing an SFVCN ProjectProvides practical guidance on designing SFVCN projects, including analyses, commodity selection, interventions, and developing a logical framework.

Training Style

Modules are delivered through PowerPoint presentations, lectures, case studies, field visits, breakout sessions, and interactive discussions. Guest speakers, both in-person and online, provide real-world insights. Faculty includes experienced decision-makers and practitioners from educational and research institutions specializing in food systems, nutrition, and sustainable development.

General Notes

Training manuals and reference materials are provided.

Certificates awarded upon successful completion.

Tailor-made courses available—contact info@ecasiafrica.org.

Payment should be sent to ECAS bank account before training; proof sent to info@ecasiafrica.org.

About ECAS Institute

ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent, targeted training, research, and consulting services focused on climate change, resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solutions, biodiversity conservation, agriculture, and food systems. Located in Nairobi, Kenya, ECAS operates across Africa and has supported global partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.

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