Guatemala Nutrition and Health Project

The objective of the Crecer Sano: Guatemala Nutrition and Health Project is to improve selected practices, services and behaviors known to be key determinants of chronic malnutrition (with an emphasis on the first 1,000 days of life) in the intervention areas. There are three components to the project, the first component being providing inter-sectoral services to address chronic malnutrition risk factors. This component will support provision of quality nutrition and health services to mothers and children; promotion of behavioral change interventions targeted to families and communities; improving access to safe drinking water and sanitation; and enhancing coordination across sectors. It will finance works for health posts, small water supply and sanitation systems, and select community centers, as well as equipment, medical and nonmedical supplies, health promotion activities, technical assistance, studies and training. The second component is the moving the focus towards results. This component will introduce results-based financing to: (i) promote the use of health services, including timely prenatal care; (ii) promote behavioral changes, including exclusive breastfeeding during the first six (6) months of life; and (iii) strengthen the CCT Program in the intervention areas. Finally, the third component is the supporting project management, monitoring and evaluation. This component will provide support to the MIDES Social Development Fund (Fondo de Desarrollo Social, FODES), or MIDES-FODES, for the carrying out of Project management, coordination and evaluation. It will finance consulting services including consultants to support MIDES-FODES, office equipment, training, and operating costs, and an external entity to evaluate achievement of the DLIs.