2025 Nutrition for Growth Summit Advocacy Brief – The Early Years: A Critical Window for Nutrition and Development

Ahead of the 2025 Nutrition for Growth Summit in France, we call for concentrated action on early childhood nutrition in crisis settings.

We urge donors to scale up funding specifically targeting nutrition interventions in the first 1,000 days of life for children and their caregivers affected by emergencies, displacement, and crises. This includes identifying dedicated financing for early years nutrition interventions, establishing a financial baseline for integrated early childhood initiatives, and doubling related investments by 2030.

Policymakers should prioritize nutrition in national policies, strategies, and guidelines in alignment with the Nurturing Care Framework, supporting the prevention and treatment of wasting, caregiver mental health, and aligning child-focused and gender-focused approaches.

Implementers are encouraged to design and deliver integrated early years services, focusing on building the capacity of frontline health and nutrition workers. Programs should be locally led and adapted to meet the specific needs of young children and families in crisis settings.

This advocacy brief was co-developed by Nour Jarrouj (Moving Minds Alliance), Elana Banin (International Rescue Committee), Michael Simpson (Their World), Viktorya Sargsyan (World Vision International) and Lola Ayanda (Moving Minds Alliance).