Deadline: 23-Apr-2026
The UNICEF–Mastercard Foundation First Foods Nutrition Initiative in Zimbabwe seeks grant applications to develop and test locally available, nutrient-dense complementary foods for infants and young children. The program links improved nutrition outcomes with youth entrepreneurship, empowering young people—especially women—while strengthening community health systems.
Program Focus
- Nutrition and infant feeding: Promote optimal infant and young child feeding practices
- Malnutrition prevention and treatment: Develop locally sourced, nutrient-rich complementary foods
- Youth entrepreneurship: Create employment and livelihood opportunities for young community health workers
- Community-based systems: Strengthen primary health care delivery and caregiver engagement
Funding and Scope
- Indicative budget: $60,000
- Geographic focus: Districts including Umzingwane, Bulilima, Mudzi, Mutoko, Chiredzi, Mwenezi, Goromonzi, Chipinge, Mutasa, and Mbire
- Target groups: Infants and young children, caregivers, and youth CHWs
Key Activities
- Develop nutrient-dense complementary foods using locally available ingredients and caregroup recipes
- Conduct food and nutrient analyses to ensure scientifically validated, safe, and scalable formulations
- Promote community production and utilization of complementary foods
- Engage youth CHWs in product development and nutrition education
- Facilitate technical learning sessions on First Foods for local stakeholders
Expected Outcomes
- Increased availability and use of nutritious first foods within communities
- Improved infant and young child feeding practices
- Scalable, locally adapted complementary food formulations
- Documented scientific and technical reviews to support future nutrition interventions
- Strengthened community health workforce capacity, especially for youth engagement
Who Can Apply
- Organizations or institutions working in nutrition, public health, or community health development
- Entities capable of developing and analyzing local food formulations
- Partners aligned with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) priorities, including human capital development, food security, and youth empowerment
Why This Initiative Matters
- Links early childhood nutrition with youth empowerment and employment
- Strengthens community-based health systems
- Provides locally sourced, culturally appropriate complementary foods
- Supports scalable and sustainable nutrition interventions that address malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies
FAQ
1. What is the focus of the initiative?
Development and promotion of locally available nutrient-dense complementary foods for infants and young children.
2. Who benefits from the program?
Infants, young children, caregivers, and youth community health workers in selected districts of Zimbabwe.
3. How much funding is available?
The indicative budget is $60,000.
4. Who can apply?
Organizations working in nutrition, public health, or youth/community development with the capacity to analyze and develop food products.
5. Are there specific geographic areas targeted?
Yes, the initiative focuses on ten districts including Umzingwane, Bulilima, Mudzi, Mutoko, Chiredzi, Mwenezi, Goromonzi, Chipinge, Mutasa, and Mbire.
6. What outcomes are expected?
Promotion of nutritious first foods, improved feeding practices, youth engagement in health and nutrition, and scalable, validated complementary food formulations.
Conclusion
The First Foods Nutrition Initiative provides a strategic opportunity to improve early childhood nutrition in Zimbabwe while empowering youth and strengthening community health systems. By supporting locally sourced, nutrient-dense complementary foods, the program advances sustainable nutrition and economic development for communities.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.