Power of Nutrition: new independent fund for nutrition

The Power of Nutrition is a newly launched independent fund targeting $1 billion of new private and public sector financing to tackle child undernutrition in some of the world’s poorest countries. Its goal is to help children grow to their full potential, end the cycle of undernutrition, and enable countries to build strong and prosperous communities. The Power of Nutrition was launched in April 2015 with arrangements in place to unlock the first $200 million.

The Power of Nutrition is an independent charity registered in the United Kingdom and governed by its own Board. It is open now to new public and private investors looking to support large-scale, high impact programmes that tackle the worst consequences of undernutrition. The partnership already includes the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, UBS Optimus Foundation, the UK Department of International Development, UNICEF, and the World Bank Group (WBG).

Every $1 invested in the Power of Nutrition is guaranteed to be matched with up to $5 of new public and private financing. The fund first matches investors’ money, and then uses it to encourage more funding to be allocated to nutrition at the country level – including through new grants and development financing. This matching process multiplies the power of the original investment and supports the countries most committed to overcoming the problems of undernutrition. At WBG, a new nutrition trust fund has been established which eligible countries can apply for funding.  Contributions from Power of Nutrition will be matched 2:1. Eligible public and private donor contributions to UNICEF will be matched 1:1 by the Power of Nutrition fund.

‘Nutrition is one of the best, most cost effective contributions that can be made to human development.’

Tony Lake, Executive Director, UNICEF

During the launch of the Power of Nutrition in April 2015, partnership representatives highlighted that the science underpinning nutrition interventions is clear, that nutrition is a powerful development tool and makes economic sense. It was recognized that more needs to be done to tell the story of nutrition in order to get public support and the support of other sectors. The need for equitable improvements in nutrition was also raised.

Find out more here.