Workshop report: Articulation of nutrition financing needs across sectors in Senegal

Senegal has made significant progress in the fight against malnutrition, with solid results in reducing stunting, the prevalence of which has been halved from 34% to 17% between 1992 and 2022. Significant progress has also been made in reducing the prevalence of chronic malnutrition which has decreased from 27% to 18% between 2011 and 2023. Despite this, a recent evaluation of the multisectoral nutrition strategic plan (PSMN) 2018-2022 implementation highlighted the difficulties in drawing up a clear picture of the financial resources used to fund the various sectoral action plans. With the launch of the new PSMN (2024-2028), the National Nutrition Development Council CNDN has requested technical support from the Financing Capacity Development Platform (FCDP) in order to gain a deeper understanding of the financial flows and mechanisms used by the various PSMN implementing sectors and sources for potential additional funding in order to ensure adequate and sustainable nutrition financing in the future.

This PSMN expenditure analysis compiled data on the nutrition interventions’ strategic planning and expenditure by the CNDN and 12 sectoral ministries. This led to the identification of funding gaps and interventions that were most affected. The analysis results were presented to the PSMN implementing sectors and partners, and to donors, at a workshop held on 10 and 11 September 2024 in Dakar.

The experience sharing and rich exchanges of views between participants resulted in a number of lessons learned. Aligning the objectives of sectoral development plans with those of the PSMN is essential to encourage the nutrition domestication into sectoral policies. Systematic inclusion of nutrition in the Multiyear Expenditure Planning Documents (DPPD) facilitates domestic resource raising. The creation of specific nutrition lines in the State and local government budgets makes it possible to secure resources and move towards sustainable funding. Articulating funding needs is a crucial step in affirming the government’s stewarding role in nutrition financing. Existing processes and digital tools offer low-cost solutions for nutrition financing data collection and reporting. Establishing a policy dialogue platform for continuous CNDN – sectoral ministries engagement is key to consolidate accountability.

The workshop marked a major step forward in mobilizing stakeholders and building an intra-governmental consensus on nutrition financing priorities thanks to the participants’ commitment and the vigor of the discussions and proposed solutions.

Please contact Cheickna Toure if you have any questions or comments on this report.

FCDP is a SUN Movement resource available to all 66 SUN Countries. The platform aims to transform the nutrition financing landscape by inspiring and igniting government leaders to elevate nutrition financing as a priority and accelerate impact across sectors.

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