A girl at a table, smiling while holding a spoon

Regional networks

What are regional networks?

Led by countries, the Regional School Meals Coalition networks take action by organizing workshops, special meetings and events. These gatherings serve as platforms for sharing best practices in school meal programmes within their specific regions, empowering stakeholders to make informed decisions that accelerate and enhance school meals implementation.

Three children eating and smiling

Regional Network in East Africa

The Eastern Africa Regional School Meals Coalition Network was launched in Kigali, Rwanda in June 2023. Nine countries are part of the network, namely Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. The network is currently co-chaired by Burundi and Ethiopia.

The network is an opportunity for participating countries to engage in peer-to-peer learning and to exchange at the technical level on relevant topics. The network also supports joint advocacy efforts for key aspects related to school meal programmes, such as sustainable financing plans and addressing existing research gaps. It aims to leverage regional integration across programmes and projects, providing additional technical expertise to school meal practitioners.  All members of the School Meals Coalition in the region have been invited to participate in the network. To speak to the Regional Network in East Africa focal point, contact the School Meals Coalition.

Two children, absorbed in a book, eager to learn.

Regional Network in West Africa

This network was an important output from the ECOWAS Regional Technical Conference on Homegrown School Feeding, held in Dakar in October 2023. The meeting served as a pivotal gathering of over 70 technical experts and government officials from 14 ECOWAS member states, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Togo.  

The next steps in consolidating the network were a 2024 ministerial summit and a stock-taking technical conference, with the goal of further strengthening member states' commitments to homegrown school feeding and building a coherent regional policy framework. To speak to the Regional Network in West Africa focal point, contact the School Meals Coalition.