Right2Grow.
In the Right2Grow alliance, The Hunger Project Netherlands collaborated with 5 international partners and hundreds of local organisations and grassroots organisations in 6 countries.
The aim is to put an end to malnutrition in children and to create access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for all – especially in areas with conflict and instability, where public authorities and businesses have limited facilities available.
Right2Grow focused on strengthening local civil society organisations, structures, lobbying and advocacy in 6 countries, directly with 47 civil society organisations and through them with 1,099 smaller grassroots organisations. This specifically increases the resilience of local communities and contributes to food security in times of crisis.
Right2Grow was financed from the grant framework by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2021 to 2025′Power of Voices‘. The Hunger Project Netherlands is ultimately responsible for the work of the Right2Grow alliance.
The Right2Grow approach.
Malnutrition is not only due to a lack of food. Right2Grow focused on the link between malnutrition and WASH: infections due to unsafe water and poor sanitation are a major cause of malnutrition in young children. Right2Grow brought together parties with different expertises to address the root causes, including the ineffective implementation of policies that should counter structural malnutrition.
We did this along four coherent tracks: strengthening the voice of communities, professionalising civil society organisations, improving policies and their implementation, and sharing knowledge and experiences from local communities internationally. We ensured a continuous feedback loop between communities, civil society and policy makers, and a place at the negotiating table for representatives of those communities. More aboutThese tracks and the lessons we have learned can be read back in the Right2Grow Learning Catalogue.
Countries and partners
Right2Grow was active in 6 countries: Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Uganda (the programming countries of The Hunger Project) and through alliance partners also in Mali and South Sudan.
Alliance partners:Action Against Hunger, it Centre for Economic Governance and Accountability in Africa (CEGAA),Max Foundation,Save the Children,The Hunger Project The Netherlands andWorld Vision.The Hunger Project Nederland played the role of Consortium Lead.
“Policy frees resources for the fight against malnutrition. It is a tool that now allows communities and civil society to argue for better services and more funding.”
. Samuel Chor Alier, Child Rights Coalition in South Sudan
From grassroots movement to recognized partner
The youth organisation Touch the Heart Uganda received a small grant through the Small Grants Programme of Right2Grow with which it could officially register as an NGO. This allowed her access to more funding and to expand her work to more remote areas.
“Without formal recognition and with limited resources, we faced many barriers as a grassroots movement. Our new status changed that. Our network grew and we were seen as a credible partner. We now also have a place at the table with policy makers. This is crucial for lasting impact.”Ian Kikomo, Team Leader Touch The Heart Uganda
Photo: Johannes Odé
Right2Grow stops as a program, but not as a move
The impact of Right2Grow does not stop at the end of the program. An independent final evaluation shows that Right2Grow has contributed to changes that remain. Communities and local organisations have built up knowledge, trust and structures. They learned to work together and can continue independently. Food and water policies, investments and practices have been strengthened. The main lessons are bundled in the Right2Grow Learning Catalogue, so partners and others can build on what has been learned in 5 years.
“We are not sounding the drums to go home, but we are sounding the drums to encourage ourselves to keep fighting malnutrition.”. Agnes KiraboExecutive Director Food Rights Alliance
More about Right2Grow.
