SUN Networks annual retreat

On 14 and 15 February 2018, the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement Networks gathered at the SUN Secretariat in Geneva for their annual retreat. The two-day meeting provided an opportunity for the four networks (Business, Donor, Civil Society, UN Networks) to define, along with the SUN Secretariat, actions to improve coordination of the SUN Movement support system and tailor support to countries with different rates of Progress.

During the retreat, the SUN Networks and the SUN Secretariat discussed about the upcoming Joint Assessment exercise and how to better capture the contribution and value-add of SUN Networks at country level. The Networks, together with the SUN Movement Secretariat, worked over the priorities across the SUN Movement and identified action points to take forward in the coming weeks and months. Networks also  participate in a working session to learn more about the SUN Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning system (MEAL).

2nd Day SUN Networks retreat. Time for disucssing about the @SUN_Movement timeline & priorities for the years to come with SUN Coordinator .@GerdaVerburg #InvestInNutrition @SUNCSN @SUNBizNet pic.twitter.com/obXzqQC8xF

— Scaling Up Nutrition (@SUN_Movement) February 15, 2018

The SUN Movement networks are made up of actors from different stakeholder groups. The self organised oversight mechanisms of these networks steer their work plans, are responsible for alignment with the SUN Movement Strategy and Roadmap, and transparently report progress and achievements by way of the Movement’s annual Progress Report.  SUN Networks are supported by facilitators and their secretariats, who coordinate their members’ contributions and promote the values and principles of the Movement.

SUN Business Network

The SUN Business Network (SBN) is the only dedicated global platform for business and nutrition, with the aim to reduce malnutrition in all its forms – through engaging and supporting business to act, invest and innovate in responsible and sustainable actions and operations to improve nutrition. To do this, the SBN provides a neutral platform to broker partnerships and collaborations between business and all actors on nutrition at the national, regional and global level in support of SUN Countries. The SUN Business Network is co-convened by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and World Food Programme (WFP). The SBN is supported by a global secretariat based in London, UK.

SUN Civil Society

The SUN Civil Society Network (CSN) encourages the formation of vibrant civil society alliances, with such alliances existing in 39 SUN Countries today. The network represents over 2,000 organisations locally, nationally and internationally, spanning multiple sectors and backgrounds, including four regional coordination groups –two of which (covering Asia and East and Southern Africa) were set up in 2016-2017. The CSN Secretariat is hosted by Save the Children, in the United Kingdom, overseen by a global steering committee.

Intensive days of work for @SUNCSN; @SUNBizNet; SUN Donors Netwotks & SUN UN Network at @SUN_Movement Secretariat. Today, working session: The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning system (#MEAL) https://t.co/gfrRHSDYck pic.twitter.com/jcJX3lP7Cc

— Scaling Up Nutrition (@SUN_Movement) February 14, 2018

SUN Donor Network

The SUN Donor Network (SDN) seeks to ensure political commitment for nutrition and embrace the SUN Movement approach as an invaluable global movement. It advocates for country access to more and better financing for nutrition, at all levels. Further to increasing accountability and measuring progress in mobilising resources, the SDN is committed to continue tracking donor spending on nutrition. The SDN strives for better coordination and transparency of approaches to nutrition in support of countries and alignment with national nutrition plans. The SDN brings together global development partners in nutrition, including bilateral donors, foundations and development banks, in support of SUN Countries to develop and implement their own approach to scaling up nutrition.

UN Network for SUN

The UN Network for SUN (UNN), provides an entry point in which United Nations entities engage in a harmonised and coordinated manner with the SUN Movement – to help countries attain nutrition targets and achieve the SDGs. Formally established in 2013 by the principals of five UN agencies working in nutrition – FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO – the UN Network helps bring convergence to national multi-sectoral nutrition efforts by harnessing UN agencies’ functional and technical expertise. At the country level, membership increasingly includes additional UN agencies.