A decade of impact: lessons from 10 years of The Power of Nutrition

Background The Power of Nutrition (TPoN) was conceptualized in 2013 and used an innovative fund-matching strategy to address global malnutrition. 2025 marks the 10-year anniversary of TPoN’s inception and in light of the various organizational changes and ongoing changes in global funding for nutrition, a full impact evaluation was conducted to glean insights into success and challenges in leveraging funds for global nutrition. Objective To conduct an impact evaluation to assess TPoN’s progress in achieving its strategic objectives. Methods The impact evaluation was guided by a contribution analysis approach and used mixed methods including an evidence review, qualitative data collection and analysis, financial analysis, and Lives Saved Tool modeling. Results TPoN successfully leveraged funds in its first several years of operation, however upon losing platform funding, it experienced challenges in mobilizing new funds and implementing large-scale programmes. TPoN was able to incorporate a multisectoral approach to nutrition programming, establish broad partnerships, convene a multitude of stakeholders, including private sector and bilateral donors, and prioritize sustainability in programming. Conclusions Financing needs for nutrition have risen over time, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic, while available funding has decreased. New and innovative financing mechanisms are needed, and one such option is the matched funding model TPoN employed upon inception. The global nutrition sector can use TPoN’s example as a potential way forward and learn from its decade of successes and challenges.