Increase # of technical assistance providers within the network

All four commitments made by the Scaling Up Nutrition Civil Society Network (SUN CSN) are underpinned by its 2021–2025 strategy and theory of change (attached), which all individual members, civil society alliances, youth leaders, regional groups and steering group members align with. The strategy was developed in close consultation with all CSN members to ensure it is fit for purpose, context-specific and fully owned by all.

The SUN Civil Society Network Secretariat has its own fully fledged work plan and monitoring and evaluation framework (see attached indicators), which will guide the implementation of its five-year strategy and specific commitments made to Nutrition for Growth (N4G). In addition, the monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) adviser is working with each of the four regional groups (Asia; East and Southern Africa; West and Central Africa; and Latin America and the Caribbean) to produce tailored work plans with SMART indicators. These will then organically trickle down to national-level civil society alliances and individual member organisations that will ultimately implement the commitments, with support from the global secretariat.

The aim of this commitment is to ensure all CSN members can access training and technical assistance in areas in which they require upskilling. The Network responds to the needs indicated by regional groups, civil society alliances (CSAs) and youth leaders by connecting them with learning, advocacy, networking and funding opportunities. Capacity-building can be provided by the Secretariat or Steering Group, but through the course of the five-year strategy, an increasing proportion of technical assistance will be delivered by one CSA to another or within a CSA itself. To enable this, the CSN will develop communities of practice and expand the pool of country-level technical experts willing to share their skills in the service of the wider membership. The CSN Secretariat and Steering Group will continue to provide support where no country-level expertise is available to ensure the smooth running of national and regional functions.

By facilitating the expansion of the pool of technical assistance providers, Network members will have improved access to the skills that they need. In turn, technical assistance providers will receive increased opportunities to showcase their skills internally and to gain certification for high-quality technical assistance delivered.