Launched to support and work closely with South Asian countries (India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal & Sri Lanka) on policy leadership areas to adopt a ‘food systems approach to solve all forms of malnutrition in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’, the South Asian Policy Leadership for Improved Nutrition and Growth (SAPLING) is a multi-stakeholder, regional, policy advocacy platform.
We performed a food systems landscaping analysis focused on South Asian diets, food, nutrition, and agricultural policies embedding the cross-cutting themes of gender, youth, and climate change. This was drawn from secondary agri-nutrition datasets and consultations with policymakers across the five countries. We also evaluated Phase I of the programme and prepared a new strategy and theory of change for SAPLING’s next phase. Having organised several learning sessions with governments, private sector entities, development partners, philanthropies, and research institutes across South Asia. Currently, we are assisting BMGF to design SAPLING’s second phase, developing the programme governance structure, activity plans, and monitoring and evaluation framework.