CONCEPT NOTE
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 oversight leads to missed opportunities to address malnutrition effectively through agricultural and food interventions, highlighting a critical need for integrated approaches that explicitly 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. This initiative aligns with ECAS’s commitment to fostering effective, nutrition-sensitive food systems.
This course is specifically designed to empower 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 that intentionally integrate nutrition goals into sustainable food value chain development, thereby contributing to healthier populations and sustainable growth.
COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Explain key concepts related to sustainable food value chains for nutrition, including diet and nutrition, and the core principles of value chains and their sustainability.
- Identify the elements of the SFVCN analytical framework, including potential strategies and effective entry points for interventions.
- Describe the three distinct impact pathways by which a sustainable food value chain can contribute to improving nutrition.
- Outline the systematic process of developing an SFVCN project, encompassing critical analyses and the identification of suitable commodities and interventions.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
This course will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of how to design and manage food value chain projects that explicitly aim to improve nutrition in a sustainable manner. You will learn:
- The foundational concepts underpinning nutrition and the sustainability dimensions of food value chains.
- The specific components of the analytical framework for Sustainable Food Value Chains for Nutrition (SFVCN), including strategic options and practical intervention points.
- How sustainable food value chains can positively influence nutritional outcomes through three distinct impact pathways.
- The step-by-step methodology for designing an SFVCN project, from initial analyses to selecting appropriate commodities and interventions.
DURATION AND PROGRAM
This is a structured training course. The program is organized into four comprehensive lessons, systematically guiding participants through the concepts and practical application of Sustainable Food Value Chains for Nutrition. The detailed program schedule, including specific session timings and interactive components, will be communicated prior to the training commencement.
TARGET PARTICIPANTS
This course primarily targets development practitioners and policymakers who are actively involved in the development of sustainable food systems. The course also benefits those interested in gaining a deeper understanding of sustainable food systems and applying food systems thinking, including:
- Extension Agents: Professionals working directly with farmers and communities to enhance food systems.
- Researchers: Academics and scientists 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 national governments, regional organizations, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working on food security and nutrition initiatives.
TRAINING MODULES
The course consists of four sequential lessons, each building upon the previous to provide a holistic understanding of Sustainable Food Value Chains for Nutrition:
| No | Module | Details | |
| 1. | Introduction to nutrition and sustainable food value chains |
This foundational lesson sets the foundation by exploring the interconnections between nutrition and sustainable food value chains. It will define key concepts and highlight the importance of integrating nutrition goals into value chain development for overall food system sustainability.
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| 2. | Framing sustainability and nutrition in value chains |
This module delves into the analytical framework of Sustainable Food Value Chains for Nutrition (SFVCN). Participants will learn how to conceptualize and assess the sustainability and nutrition dimensions within value chains, identifying key elements for strategic intervention.
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| 3. | Supporting nutritional outcomes through SFVCN impact pathways |
This lesson focuses on the causal links between sustainable food value chain development and improved nutritional outcomes. Participants will explore the three primary impact pathways through which SFVCNs can contribute to better nutrition for target populations.
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| 4. | Designing an SFVCN project |
The final module provides practical guidance on how to design projects that effectively apply the SFVCN framework. Participants will learn the systematic steps involved in developing an SFVCN project, from initial assessments to the identification of specific commodities and interventions.
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TRAINING STYLE
The modules will be taught through PowerPoint presentations, and lectures and will include a case study/field visit, breakout sessions, case studies and other interactive discussion components.
The course will also include a few guest speakers, both in person and via Zoom and other online learning platforms for overseas speakers. This provides useful real-world insights alongside the more theoretical aspects of the course.
The conference faculty shall consist of experienced decision makers, as well as practitioners and representatives from established educational and research institutions active around climate change, engineering and international development. Throughout the course, theoretical presentation of concepts will be moderated and more group discussions and plenary engagements will be optimized. PowerPoint presentations will be made by facilitators and resource persons, to highlight key concepts before embarking on group work.
GENERAL NOTES
- Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
- Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
- We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: info@ecasiafrica.org.
- Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training and proof of payment sent to: info@ecasiafrica.org.
ABOUT ECAS INSTITUTE
The ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent and targeted training, research, and consulting services. Our work focusses on climate change and resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solution, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems, We are located in Nairobi Kenya and work across the African region. We have implemented training and research assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, and South Africa. Globally, we have supported our partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.