Executive Summary
Rapid urbanization has led to the expansion of informal settlements and growing food insecurity among urban poor populations. Rising food prices, unemployment, limited access to nutritious food, and inadequate social protection systems have exacerbated malnutrition, particularly among women and children.
This project aims to improve food security, dietary diversity, and nutritional outcomes for vulnerable urban households through integrated interventions including urban food systems strengthening, social protection linkages, community nutrition services, and livelihood support.
Over a three-year period, the project will directly support 50,000 low-income urban residents and improve nutrition outcomes for at least 15,000 children under five and 10,000 women of reproductive age.
The initiative aligns with global priorities supported by the World Food Programme, Food and Agriculture Organization, and UNICEF.
Background and Rationale
Urban poverty is often characterized by:
- High food prices and dependence on purchased food
- Limited access to fresh and nutritious produce
- Informal and unstable employment
- Inadequate housing and sanitation
- Weak access to social safety nets
Common nutrition challenges include:
- Child stunting and wasting
- Micronutrient deficiencies (iron, vitamin A)
- Rising overweight and obesity due to poor dietary quality
- Food insecurity linked to income shocks
Urban food systems are vulnerable to economic crises, pandemics, and climate-related disruptions, making urban poor populations particularly at risk.
Project Goal
To enhance food security and improve nutrition outcomes among urban poor populations through sustainable, inclusive, and community-driven approaches.
Specific Objectives
- Improve access to affordable and nutritious food for vulnerable households.
- Reduce child malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.
- Strengthen urban food systems and local food production.
- Increase household income and resilience through food-related livelihoods.
- Strengthen social protection linkages for food-insecure families.
Target Beneficiaries
- Urban poor households in informal settlements
- Children under five
- Pregnant and lactating women
- Youth and women-led households
- Informal workers
Project Components
Component 1: Community Nutrition Services
Activities:
- Growth monitoring and screening
- Supplementary feeding programs
- Micronutrient supplementation
- Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) counseling
- Referral systems for severe malnutrition
Expected Output:
- 25,000 children screened annually
- 5,000 malnourished children receive treatment support
Component 2: Food Access & Social Protection Linkages
Activities:
- Digital food voucher programs
- Cash transfers for vulnerable families
- Enrollment support for government welfare schemes
- Partnerships with local retailers
Expected Output:
- 20,000 households receive food assistance
- Improved dietary diversity scores
Component 3: Urban Agriculture & Local Food Production
Activities:
- Rooftop and vertical gardening initiatives
- Community gardens
- Hydroponics and climate-smart techniques
- Seed and tool distribution
- Training in sustainable food production
Expected Output:
- 5,000 households engaged in urban food production
- Increased access to fresh vegetables and fruits
Component 4: Nutrition Education & Behavior Change
Activities:
- Community workshops on balanced diets
- Cooking demonstrations
- Social media awareness campaigns
- School-based nutrition programs
Expected Output:
- Improved nutrition knowledge among 30,000 residents
- Increased consumption of nutrient-rich foods
Component 5: Food-Related Livelihood Support
Activities:
- Support for women-led food enterprises
- Food processing and preservation training
- Market linkage support
- Micro-grants for food vendors
Expected Output:
- 2,000 income-generating activities supported
- Increased household income resilience
Implementation Strategy
The project will be implemented in partnership with:
- Municipal governments
- Local NGOs and community-based organizations
- Public health departments
- Retail and food supply chain partners
- International partners such as United Nations Development Programme
A community-driven approach will ensure local ownership and sustainability.
Expected Outcomes
- Improved household food security and dietary diversity.
- Reduced malnutrition rates among children.
- Increased resilience of urban food systems.
- Strengthened livelihoods for vulnerable households.
- Improved coordination between social protection and nutrition programs.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Key Indicators:
- Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) scores
- Child growth indicators (stunting, wasting)
- Dietary diversity scores
- Number of households engaged in urban agriculture
- Income growth among supported beneficiaries
Methods:
- Baseline and endline surveys
- Routine monitoring data
- Nutrition screening records
- Independent impact assessment
Sustainability Strategy
- Integration with municipal food policies
- Public-private partnerships
- Community-led management of gardens
- Microenterprise revenue models
- Policy advocacy for urban food resilience
Timeline (36 Months)
Year 1:
- Baseline assessment
- Pilot food voucher program
- Launch community gardens
Year 2:
- Expand nutrition services
- Scale urban agriculture initiatives
- Livelihood support rollout
Year 3:
- Policy integration
- Impact evaluation
- Sustainability transition
Conclusion
Addressing urban food insecurity requires integrated, multi-sectoral approaches that combine nutrition services, social protection, urban agriculture, and livelihood strengthening. This project offers a scalable and sustainable model to improve food security and nutrition outcomes for urban poor populations while strengthening urban resilience.
