PG-HGSF Mali: Examining and sharing experiences in school feeding

The event, organized by the SNV Procurement Governance for Home Grown School Feeding (PG-HGSF) project, examines the role of key stakeholders in the success and sustainability of school feeding.

The event is designed to provide an opportunity for school feeding stakeholders from all levels to share their experiences and lessons learned around mobilizing communities to participate collectively in school feeding, while also finding ways to involve local smallholder farmers. During the event, three expert panels will frame discussions on access to funds, community contributions to school feeding, and the involvement of smallholder farmers in the school feeding market.

The Government of Mali started the school feeding programme in 2009 alongside the World Food Programme, which resulted in the formation of the Centre National des Cantines Scolaires (CNCS). CNCS coordinates the programme, which reaches about 1,500 schools. While CNCS manages high level functions, the majority of school feeding planning and implementation is done at the local level, involving local governments and communities. Local stakeholders often play a crucial role in the programme’s sustainability and success.

The National Learning Event will yield a focussed strategy on strengthening the capacities of school feeding communities, analyze current school feeding policies, and allow diverse school feeding stakeholders to collaborate and share knowledge.