UNN-REACH was established in 2008 by FAO, UNICEF, WFP and WHO, and was later joined by IFAD as an advisor. In 2015, it was repositioned under the broader UN [Nutrition] Network (UNN). Today, it is known as UNN-REACH and is the UNN's intensive support arm. It continues to be a country support mechanism for improving nutrition governance, which works in close collaboration with nutrition coordination structures and SUN networks, including the UN Network. With ten years of experience in over twenty countries, UNN-REACH has acquired considerable expertise and continually refined its approach to be best adapted to the evolving nutrition landscape and country contexts.
Its neutral facilitators provide tailored capacity strengthening for effectively managing well-coordinated, participative,
multi-sectoral nutrition processes. Some key aspects of this work include:
day-to-day coaching of individuals, who are leading transformative change on nutrition
tracking the
complex nutrition
stakeholder landscape
and
networking and knowledge-brokering to make knowledge more accessible to those working in nutrition
at the country level
Various factors are taken into account when determining where to roll-out UNN-REACH. These include:
Consideration to country performance on SUN process markers
Insights from the UN Network in-country, the SUN Movement Secretariat and donors to further ascertain potential interest for UNN-REACH support
Affirmed expression of interest by the SUN Government Focal Point and the country UN Network
Confirmed UNN-REACH funding
Exploratory mission, led by the UN Network Secretariat, to agree upon the UNN-REACH modalities of engagement
The UNN-REACH Theory of Change outlines the pathways through which it contributes to greater nutrition goals. Annual reports are available, highlighting key achievements at the country and global levels. Further information about the performance of UNN-REACH, including its effectiveness, efficiency and added value, is captured in various evaluation documents. These independent evaluations also explored the factors affecting performance, the sustainability of UNN-REACH and the extent to which it addresses cross-cutting issues such as equity and gender.
