The goal of this diagnostic study is to identify gaps and possible areas of improvements in the nutrition program delivery by examining motivation and capacity (both personal and programmatic) of relevant CHWs (i.e. those responsible for nutrition programs) and the effectiveness of the SBCC content used by them in the delivery of nutrition programs. The diagnostic will (i) explore the different types of support provided to CHWs (tools, trainings, materials, incentives, etc.), their current knowledge and performance regarding how effectively they transmit what they learn to different target groups, and understand the enablers and barriers to their performance, including motivation, incentives, relevant non-government actors and programs, and other responsibilities (including other health tasks) may affect their time availability, and (ii) assess relevant SBCC content for message design, channels, implementation, and audience engagement to propose strategies that can strengthen and increase the efficiency of existing communication campaigns. The findings of this study will help the government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Health, RBC and NCD Agency to strengthen the roles of CHWs as transmitters of information and improve overall nutrition outcomes in communities.

In order to support the Government of Rwanda to achieve its strategic objective to rapidly reduce stunting rates to 19% by 2024, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is supporting the government through NCDA to address stunting through analytic work to better understand the determinants of stunting. JICA and NCDA teams are collaborating with ECOS consultants to undertake a case study to understand the reasons behind stunting reduction and non-reduction. The results of this analytical work will be utilized to develop effective multi-sector approaches for improving nutrition to address stunting issues in Rwanda. Also, this work will be summarized into a policy brief/ note that will be used as an advocacy tool for policy makers in social cluster ministries to mainstream nutrition.

Rwanda, like many other countries, has integrated nutrition component in its national responses to fight against HIV / AIDS, but the limited evidence on the prevalence of malnutrition among people living with HIV, their food security status and vulnerability is the big weakness in advocacy and proposals, which leads to poor justifications of the proposed activities. This is an imperative for the country to have reliable data on food and nutrition situation of PLHIV in order to direct and guide all interventions related to nutrition and food security. The study aims to generate information on the nutritional status of PLHIV, their households’ food security, and vulnerability status. Findings will constitute a benchmark against which to monitor the effectiveness of interventions that target PLHIV and will serve, at least for all nutrition-related performance indicators, orient managers in different sectors and levels to make decision, and to adjust plans and implementation for achieving their goal. The ECOS consultant’s team is operating under the direct supervision Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) and Word Food Progamme (WFP).

In order to support the Government of Rwanda to achieve its strategic objective to rapidly reduce stunting rates to 19 percent by 2024, The World Bank is supporting the government to address stunting through the Stunting Prevention and Reduction Project that targets 13 high burden stunting districts, with complementary support through a social protection operation. The World Bank has also been supporting the Government to conduct analytic work to better understand the determinants of stunting. To further deepen and broaden this work, the World Bank is supporting Rwandese authorities to undertake qualitative research to identify barriers to stunting reduction among children aged 6-23. This qualitative research will focus on adequate infant and child feeding practices and hygiene factors. The ECOS consultants team is operating under the direct supervision of the World Bank’s Mind, Behavioral, and Development team (eMBeD) in the Poverty and Equity Global Practice and the National Early Childhood Development Program (NECDP) of the Republic of Rwanda.

ECOS team conducted the baseline survey of the Child Nutrition Improvement Project through Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture-Phase 2 named “KOICA II”. It is one of World Vision’s Projects operating under the Tunga Cluster in the Western Region. It is located in the Gihango and Mushubati Administrative Sectors of Rutsiro District, Western Province of Rwanda. The goal of this baseline Survey was to obtain a better understanding of the nutrition and economic situation of the project target groups and to collect the baseline data for the two outcomes namely 1) Improved nutrition and health behaviors of PLWs, caregivers, and children 6 to 59 months of age and 2) Improved food and nutrition security at HHs level through sustainable agriculture.

ECOS recruited, trained and coordinated the team of fifteen enumerators for a Rapid Mapping for Nutrition-sensitive and Nutrition Specific Interventions in Rwanda.

ECOS team conducted a Baseline survey for Nutrition and WASH for CARITAS Rwanda -USAID Gimbuka programme. The overall goal of this survey was to assess the nutritional status of children 0 – 59 months and pregnant and lactating women in seven sampled districts

ECOS team conducted an Impact assessment of psychosocial support services delivered under USAID/HIGA UBEHO programme with the support from Global Communities (formerly CHF).

ECOS team conducted a Final evaluation of HIV AIDS Project in Nyamirama sector, in Kayonza district, eastern province.

ECOS team conducted the Final evaluation for IRC project entitled “Inclusive society: Together Ending Malnutrition Project” (TEM)” under the funding from the European Union (EU). The Project’ activities focused on building capacity of local authorities (LAs), civil society organizations (CSOs) and community health workers (CHWs) to implement national strategies to reduce poverty and combat malnutrition in Ngoma district, eastern province, Rwanda.