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Good practices of initiative:

Design and Implementation of National Food and Nutrition Education Strategy to Improve Healthy School Environments and Support Regulatory Frameworks Related to El Salvador's School Feeding and Health Program

Relevance
It measures the alignment of the initiative with existing policy frameworks in the country. In addition, the scalability of the initiative to other realities and geographies is valued.
Framework Description Ambit Country Source
National Food and Nutritional Security Policy 2018-2028 Project TCP/ELS/3802 developed a national food and nutrition education strategy to address the triple burden of malnutrition in El Salvador, which includes micronutrient deficiencies, chronic and acute malnutrition, and overweight and obesity. A draft School Feeding Law and the Healthy and Sustainable School Feeding Strategy (EAESS) were also developed to institutionalize the right to adequate food for children and adolescents. The project promoted healthy school environments by integrating food and nutrition education, school gardens, diverse menus, and engagement with local markets to improve sustainable eating behaviors. National El Salvador Link
UN: Sustainable Development Goals The project aligns with SDG 2 target 2.1 to end hunger and ensure access to nutritious food, and with target 2.2 to eliminate all forms of malnutrition. It also contributes to SDG 3 by promoting health and well-being, and to SDG 5 through the majority participation of women (75.6% in 2020 and 68.1% in 2021). Global World (aggregate) Link
Effectiveness
This measures how well the objectives and goals set out in the initiative were fulfilled, as well as the extent to which the results achieved are attributable to the actions implemented by the initiative.
Indicator Description Indicator Type Measure Unit Base date Base Goal Measure Date Measure Compliance Source
Number of teachers trained in Food and Nutrition Education Results Number of people trained 01-05-2020 0 docentes capacitados en EAN 2,650 docentes 29-04-2022 2,650 docentes capacitados (1,350 en 2020 + 1,300 en 2021) 100 Link
Efficiency
Efficiency is the assessment of whether a public intervention achieves its objectives while using resources in a way that the costs incurred are proportional to the economic, social, or environmental benefits obtained.
Indicator Description Indicator Type Measure Unit Base date Base Goal Measure Date Measure Compliance Source
Cost per direct beneficiary trained Efficiency USD per trained teacher No especificada en el documento. Capacitar 2,650 docentes con presupuesto de 200,000 USD 75.47 USD por docente capacitado (200,000 USD ÷ 2,650 docentes) Link
Sustainability
It measures the installed capacities or actions identified to maintain or improve the results of the policy initiative.
Indicator Description Indicator Type Measure Unit Base date Base Goal Measure Date Measure Compliance Source
Implementation of the Healthy and Sustainable School Food Strategy (EAESS) in educational centers Sustainability Number of centers implementing the strategy autonomously 2020-05-01 0 centros educativos con estrategia EAN implementada Implementación sostenible de la EAESS en el sistema educativo nacional 1,085 centros educativos con implementación activa Effective, implementation was achieved in more than 1,000 educational centers Link
Learned lessons
Gained knowledge from implementing, evaluating, and managing a policy intervention, including why it was or was not effective and how it could be improved in the future.
Lesson Description Source
Virtual training can be effective in achieving national coverage during health crises. The project successfully trained 2,650 teachers across El Salvador's 14 departments using virtual methodologies and the Google Classroom platform during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating that distance learning can maintain the continuity and effectiveness of capacity-building programs. Link
Female participation is predominant in food and nutrition education initiatives. In 2020, 75.6% of participants and 68.1% in 2021 were women, demonstrating that women play a leading role as agents of change in promoting healthy eating habits in the educational and family settings. Link
Effective inter-institutional coordination is essential for the success of multi-sector projects. The coordination between FAO, MINEDUCYT, MINSAL, the Presidential House, MAG, CENTA, INFOD, ZAMORANO, and EDUCO allowed for a comprehensive approach that combined technical, political, and operational aspects to achieve the project's objectives.
There is a significant gap in knowledge of food and nutrition among teaching staff. Seventy percent of the participating teachers had received no prior training in food and nutrition, demonstrating the urgent need for continuing education programs on these topics in the education sector. Link