Increase number of CSN members and alliances equipped to support the development, implementation, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation of National Nutrition Action plans in at least half of the 61 SUN countries, to address all forms of malnutrition.

All four commitments made by the SUN Civil Society Network 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 workplan and Monitoring & Evaluation framework (see attached indicators) which will guide the implementation of its 5-year strategy and specific commitments made to N4G. In addition, the MEAL adviser is working with each of the four regional groups (Asia; East & Southern Africa; West & Central Africa; and Latin America & the Caribbean) to produce tailored workplans with SMART indicators. These will then organically trickle down to national-level Civil Society Alliances and individual member organisations who will ultimately implement the commitments, with support from the global secretariat.

We aim through this commitment to see SUN countries and Multi-Stakeholder Platforms develop and implement costed multi-sectoral national nutrition plans with active input from civil society at all stages from planning to evaluation. Extensive research has been carried out to understand what it will take to end malnutrition, and the evidence and the solutions exist. Yet in many countries malnutrition progress is now regressing. Civil society must be meaningfully included in Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP) planning and ensure that the latest data and evidence is being used to develop and implement national nutrition plans, as well as integrate nutrition across other relevant national plans, such as education, health and climate change. SUN CSN members are essential to this effort, bringing lived experience of malnutrition to MSPs and offering solutions rooted in community realities. Evidence-based advocacy is key to helping partners adapt successful interventions to domestic contexts and scaling these up for impact.

As part of the 5-year strategy, members will advocate for multisectoral, equitable and rights-based approaches in which governments establish legal and policy frameworks that ensure the most affected and at-risk groups have access to quality services and affordable nutritious food. The CSN will also work closely with other SUN Networks on strengthening MSP functionality and sharing best practice country examples.