1. The EU/FAO Partnership for Improved Nutrition in Lao PDR (PIN)
Part of the EU/FAO FIRST Programme, a global mechanism supporting better policy related to Food Security, Nutritional Security, and Sustainable Agriculture, designed to operate in over 30 countries working to meet nutritional and food security goals.

2. A technical assistance package
Technical advice and guidance at three levels:
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry— support related to fulfilling its functions within the NNSPA.
Specific priority districts and provinces—to support closing the policy- implementation gap on nutrition sensitive agriculture.
Broader stakeholder coordination—linking to various efforts to improve policy and policy implementation addressing mal-nutrition in Laos through agriculture improvements.

3. Main activities
Support planning, coordination, monitoring, and reporting by MAF on actions related to NSA
Coordination and contribution to national stakeholder groups such as the SUN (UN/CSA/PS), SBCC network, NNC/Sec.
Facilitating networking for learning and exchange among NSA community of practitioners in the districts and provinces (GoL, FOs, CBOs, INGOs, NPAs, and other actors).
Capacity building support: central, provincial, district.

4. Key collaboration partners
UNICEF implementing EU nutrition framework
EU-funded projects in Luang Namtha and Phongsaly (CARE- International and Helvetas-Intercooperation)
GAFSP (MAF/IFAD/WFP) in four Northern provinces
SDC-funded (SNV) ENUFF
IFAD FNML: Salavanh, Sekong, Attapue
New EU call: Savanaket, Salavan, Attapue.

5. Advisory Team
Michael J. Jones FAO policy advisor on nutrition-sensitive agriculture
Saengpasueth FAO national policy advisor
Both to be based within the DOPC at MAF
Available for collaboration and consultation to facilitate joint learning and coordination.