Annual Progress Report: Scaling Up Nutrition – Learning and Evaluation (SUN LE) Year 2 (January-December 2020)

The programme aims to improve nutrition outcomes in Zambia through research, evaluation, and learning activities. Khulisa Management Services, Inc. serves as the prime implementing partner, with subcontractors including Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI), ICF International (ICF), and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). The programme focuses on 30 districts across Zambia, covering all 10 provinces. Key counterpart organisations include the National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC), seven ministries at the national level, provincial/district nutrition coordination committees, and the SUN-LE M&E/Research Technical Working Group. The programme's geographic coverage and counterpart organisations enable the implementation of research, evaluation, and learning activities to improve nutrition outcomes in Zambia. The programme's budget is distributed across various programme areas, with the majority allocated to HL.8 (35.33%) and HL.9 (32.13%). The planned life of project (LOP) budget is USD 15,975,415, with obligations as of December 31, 2020, amounting to USD 4,189,522. The average monthly expenditures are USD 147,480, with accrued expenditures of USD 3,687,012 and a pipeline of USD 502,510. The programme has a costed work plan, with the Year 2 Annual Workplan and budget approved by USAID on 28 January 2020. The programme's implementation progress is monitored through the Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (AMELP), which enables the tracking of programme activities, outcomes, and impact. Research and studies are a critical component of the programme, with several studies conducted in 2020. These studies focused on various aspects of nutrition, including infant and young child feeding (IYCF), primary health care initiative (PHCI), and most critical days programme (MCDP). The programme also disseminated research findings through various channels, including publications, presentations, and workshops. The programme's implementation challenges include COVID-19-related disruptions, which affected programme activities and outcomes. However, the programme adapted to these challenges by implementing remote work arrangements and adjusting programme activities to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. The programme's integration of cross-cutting issues and USAID forward priorities is also a key aspect of its implementation. The programme addresses gender equality and female empowerment through research and evaluation activities that focus on the impact of nutrition interventions on women and girls. The programme also incorporates sustainability mechanisms, environmental compliance, and youth development into its implementation. Stakeholder participation and involvement are essential components of the programme's implementation. The programme collaborates with the National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC), government ministries, and provincial/district nutrition coordination committees to ensure that programme activities are aligned with national priorities and needs. The programme also engages with the SUN-LE M&E/Research Technical Working Group, which includes government and donor representatives, to ensure that programme activities are informed by technical expertise and best practices. The programme's management and administrative issues are also addressed through regular monitoring and evaluation activities. The programme's management team ensures that programme activities are implemented in accordance with programme plans and budgets, and that programme outcomes are measured and reported regularly. Lessons learned from the programme's implementation in 2020 include the importance of adapting to changing circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and the need to incorporate sustainability mechanisms into programme implementation. The programme's planned activities for year 3 include the continuation of research and evaluation activities, as well as the implementation of new programme activities that focus on nutrition-sensitive agriculture and food systems. The programme's annual report for year 2 provides a comprehensive overview of programme activities, outcomes, and impact. The report highlights the programme's achievements in 2020, including the completion of several research studies and the dissemination of research findings through various channels. The report also identifies challenges and lessons learned from the programme's implementation in 2020, and outlines planned activities for year 3.