ZAMBIA - LEARNING BRIEF - Lessons Learned from A Strengthened Partnership for Nurturing Care

Phase II (2018 - 2021) Caregivers and 3,185 caregivers and 3,961 infants continued to provide support to children children reached and young children aged 0-3 and their caregivers in Chibombo Facilitators trained 400 District, in the Central Province. [...] In addition to assessing the fidelity of project implementation, this evaluation examined how the project engaged male caregivers in nurturing care, evaluated baseline data collection, assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and assessed how child protection issues and multisectoral coordination have taken place over the course of the project. [...] Participatory Evaluation The project conducted a participatory evaluation in September and October 2021 using the Most Significant Change (MSC) methodology to facilitate an ongoing process of empowerment and capacity development of intended participants including both caregivers and nurturing care practitioners beyond the life of the project. [...] Specifically, the evaluation collected qualitative and quantitative data to understand if the project strengthened multisectoral nurturing care coordination among Chibombo District government multisectoral partners, development partners, and Chibombo Child Development Agency to expand nurturing care knowledge and services to vulnerable caregivers of infants and young children aged 0-3. [...] Additionally, the evaluation examined whether the project strengthened community-based child protection to improve the safety and security of infants and young children aged 0-3 in targeted communities.