The South Asian Policy Leadership for Improved Nutrition and Growth (SAPLING), a unique multi-stakeholder policy advocacy platform, served as a pioneering regional platform aimed at supporting South Asian countries to adopt a food systems approach for tackling malnutrition, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With climate change increasingly threatening food and nutrition security in the region, SAPLING Phase 2 design strategically placed climate resilience at the heart of its mission.
We led the designing and planning of SAPLING Phase 2 through a participatory and evidence-informed process, focusing on strengthening strategy, governance, and implementation planning to ensure SAPLING’s continued relevance and impact across the region.
Focus Areas:
- Climate-Resilient Food Systems: Integrated and redefined approaches around climate-resilient agriculture, food safety, and post-harvest loss reduction illustrating the pathways towards improved nutrition.
- Regional Policy Advocacy Momentum: Convened regional consultations and roundtables across India, Nepal, and Bangladesh to build alignment and commitment to SAPLING’s agenda.
- Governance and Transition Planning: Developed SAPLING’s governance and management and supported the Foundation in identifying a long-term anchor institution for the Secretariat.
By placing climate resilience and systems thinking at the centre of its work, SAPLING Phase 2 laid the groundwork for more robust, sustainable, and inclusive nutrition policies in South Asia. Our support was critical in anchoring this next phase of strategic action and policy leadership across the region.
