Introduction
During 2015, COUNSENUTH continued to keep its commitment to improve the quality of life for vulnerable groups by strengthening evidence based, cost effective and locally grown innovative nutrition interventions. Numerous opportunities and initiatives enabled the Center to progress in keeping with its commitment.
The Institution has a five year strategic plan with five strategic objectives which align with current national plan in nutrition. These include:
| i. | Increased involvement of CSOs in nutrition decision making, implementation and monitoring of governance and accountability in the nutrition sectorImproved nutrition of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) and children under 5 years of age through high impact nutrition interventions at the community levelImproved provider performance and internal capacity of COUNSENUTH |
| ii. | |
| iii. |
and other CSOs to expand access to quality nutrition services to vulnerable populations
| iv. | Improved capacity for prevention, management and control of noncommunicable, diet related diseases (NCDs) and enhanced youth life skills through COUNSENUTH innovative projectsEnhanced evidence-based decision-making through research, documentation |
| v. |
of best practices from implementation of programs and wide dissemination of findings
This report highlights the Centre’s work for the year 2015 to improve the quality of life for vulnerable groups in Tanzania. Despite some financial challenges, the Centre was able to successfully complete over 90% of its targets in 2015. The strategic plan 2012 – 2016 gave direction to the achievements made and continued to guide the activities of the organization.
The Centre’s priorities have been that of building awareness and inspirational actions to improve nutrition at household level. The year marked a major increase in such activities through multi-faceted evidence-based approaches which include Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) and strategic grants to implement highimpact nutrition interventions through regional and district authorities and local Civil SocietyOrganizations(CSOs).TheCSOshaveundergoneinstitutionalcapacitybuilding and support to lead program implementation at the grassroots level especially under Mwanzo Bora Nutrition programme. All programmes’ nutrition interventions are aimed at promoting the adoption of positive behaviors at household and community level; strategic partnerships in order to leverage resources; and training/institutional strengthening to improve the quality of facility-based nutrition services and nutrition programming at national and district/council levels and homemade solutions at the community and household level
