Scaling Up Nutrition - Learning and Evaluation (SUN LE) Quarterly Report – Year 3 Quarter 3 (1 July – 30 September 2021)

The programme began on 28 November 2018 and is set to conclude on 27 November 2022. Khulisa Management Services, Inc. is 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 National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC) and seven ministries in Zambia serve as major counterpart organisations. The programme covers 30 districts across Zambia, spanning all 10 provinces. The reporting period for this quarterly report is 1 July to 30 September 2021. Funding for the programme comes from multiple sources, with the largest contributions from EG.3 (27.20%), HL.8 (24.54%), and HL.9 (24.81%). The programme's scope includes research, studies, dissemination and learning activities, support to the National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC), and implementation challenges. The Monitoring Evaluation and Research (MER) Technical Working Group, which includes government and donor representatives, plays a crucial role in programme implementation. Key activities implemented during the reporting period include monthly progress review meetings with NFNC, MER Technical Working Group meetings, GRZ participation in SUN LE activities, evaluation and learning support to other SUN 2.0 implementation partners, monthly meetings with SUN Technical Assistance (SUN TA), and monthly meetings with USAID. The programme has made significant progress in addressing cross-cutting issues and USAID forward priorities. These include gender equality and female empowerment, sustainability mechanisms, environmental compliance, youth development, policy and governance support, local capacity development, public-private partnership and global development alliance impacts, and conflict mitigation. Stakeholder participation and involvement are essential components of the programme. This includes monthly progress review meetings with NFNC, MER Technical Working Group meetings, GRZ participation in SUN LE activities, evaluation and learning support to other SUN 2.0 implementation partners, monthly meetings with SUN TA, and monthly meetings with USAID. Management and administrative issues are also addressed in the programme. These include lessons learned, planned activities for the next quarter, upcoming events, and addressing comments from the last quarterly or semi-annual report. The programme's progress is monitored and evaluated through the Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (AMELP). The programme's performance is assessed against the Common Results Framework (CRF) and the Performance Management Plan (PMP). The programme's impact is also evaluated through the Development Data Library (DDL) and the Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC). The programme's geographic coverage includes 30 districts across Zambia, spanning all 10 provinces. The programme's funding sources include multiple sources, with the largest contributions from EG.3 (27.20%), HL.8 (24.54%), and HL.9 (24.81%). The programme's planned life of project (LOP) is USD Figure removed, with obligations as of 30 September 2021 at USD Figure removed. The programme has a costed work plan, with an approved Year 3 Annual Workplan and budget by USAID on 13 November 2020. The programme's average monthly expenditures are USD Figure removed, with accrued expenditures at USD Figure removed. The programme's pipeline is USD Figure removed, with pipeline months at 4.