The purpose of the Multi-Sector Nutrition (MSN) Activity is to support USAID/Democratic
Republic of the Congo (DRC) efforts to improve nutrition outcomes among the Congolese
population, especially for women of reproductive age (adolescent, pregnant, postpartum, and
lactating) and children under five, in rural and hard-to-reach communities in select provinces.
Improved nutrition outcomes are the result of changes across sectors (health, agriculture and
livelihoods, water security, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), education, and the private sector)
and at different levels, from the individual and household to communities and food and health
systems. It is inherently challenging to coordinate and catalyze efforts among so many actors
and systems. The core philosophy of the activity is that locally-led multi-sectoral initiatives that
are capacitated to provide integrated nutrition services, promote both availability of diverse,
nutritious foods and positive social and cultural norms are instrumental in improving equitable
nutrition outcomes. Zonal and provincial leaders can catalyze investments in specific
communities and share lessons for wider adoption, especially about how to tailor programs to
address the specific needs of different communities in the DRC.
This activity is an opportunity to increase learning about how to improve nutrition outcomes in
resource-constrained settings where food insecurity is a significant problem. Social and
behavior change interventions and health sector interventions have limited impact when and
where food insecurity is rampant, but it is also a problem to focus only on improving availability
and access to nutritious foods when social, cultural, and gender norms inhibit equitable access.1
In addition, time and resources are wasted when different sectors and actors are unable to
coordinate their efforts. Strengthening the ability of zonal and sub-zonal leaders to build
coalitions, mobilize resources quickly, and implement coordinated and timely interventions will
have improved impact, strengthen community resilience during shocks, shortages, and other
crises. Civil society is a crucial part of ensuring sustained improvements in nutrition, especially
in terms of representing and reaching vulnerable and marginalized populations.
By the end of the Cooperative Agreement, multi-sectoral nutrition groups should be functional
in all four provinces at provincial and zonal levels in alignment with the goals of the National
Strategic Multi-sectoral Nutrition Plan of DRC (2023-2030). Community leaders and communitybased organizations (CBOs) will have the capacity to identify nutrition concerns in their
communities and act collectively using evidence-based interventions and tools to respond.
Women, children, adolescents, and marginalized groups will have equitable access to
1
Litvin K, Grandner GW, Phillips E, Sherburne L, Craig HC, Phan KA, Patel AN, Dickin KL. How Do Social and
Behavioral Change Interventions Respond to Social Norms to Improve Women's Diets in Low- and Middle-Income
Countries? A Scoping Review. Curr Dev Nutr. 2024 May 11;8(6):103772. doi: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.103772. PMID:
38948109; PMCID: PMC11214384.
Attachment 1. Funding Opportunity Description
Page 3 of 16
integrated nutrition services, consume a diverse range of nutritious foods and practice positive
nutrition and hygiene behaviors. Qualitative and quantitative evidence about the effectiveness
of different interventions, especially addressing equity in access and consumption of nutritious
foods, should be generated to provide guidance to DRC policymakers on adapting current
programing and interventions to introduce in provinces without limited nutrition programming.
It should be noted, however, that it is difficult to use certain quantitative measures, such as
stunting, as an indicator of program success.2 USAID encourages the use of indicators which can
be more directly tied to program activities and which builds on and adds to lessons learned
from other multisectoral nutrition activities.3 The primary goal of this activity is to strengthen
provincial and local capacity to plan, coordinate, and implement multi-sectoral nutrition and
food system interventions that improve nutritional outcomes, especially among women of
reproductive age (including pregnant and lactating women) and children under five.