INCLUSIVE CITIES FOR NUTRITION - IC4N

Rapid urbanization is creating new challenges for food security, nutrition, and public health in cities. Through a city-to-city cooperation between Zurich and Mbeya, IC4N supports Mbeya City in developing inclusive, sustainable, and nutrition-sensitive food systems that ensure healthy food is available, accessible, and affordable for all residents.

The project promotes stronger food systems governance, healthier food environments, and positive behaviour change while fostering knowledge exchange between cities and contributing to global learning on sustainable urban food systems.

Project Goal: To enable vulnerable urban residents in Mbeya City to lead active and healthy lives through inclusive and sustainable food systems that provide access to healthy and nutritious diets for all.

Project Direct Beneficiaries: IC4N aims to directly reach 120,000 vulnerable urban consumers and 6,000 households, while an additional 210,000 city residents are expected to benefit through improved food policies, public awareness campaigns, and enhanced food environments.

Project Local Partners: Prime Ministers Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG), Mbeya City Council, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Schools and Local Government Authorities, Civil Society Organizations and Faith-Based Organizations, Private sector actors, including food vendors, processors, producer groups, market associations, and business organizations.

Project International Partners: City of Zurich, Helvetas.

Feeding the Future: IC4N's Impact on Mbeya's Food Systems

IC4N has already contributed to significant progress in strengthening urban food systems in Mbeya through strategic policy integration and institutional commitments. Food systems actions have been integrated into Mbeya City's Strategic Plan (2025–2030), ensuring long-term sustainability and local ownership. Additionally, Mbeya City joined the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable urban food systems and aligning with global best practices. These policy milestones have been complemented by capacity-building efforts, with more than 400 stakeholders trained on food systems and nutrition governance, creating a knowledgeable base of local actors equipped to drive change.

Tangible improvements are also visible at the community level, where interventions are directly impacting household nutrition and public health. Over 680 vulnerable households have established home gardens to improve household nutrition and food security, while more than 620 food vendors have been trained on food safety and hygiene practices. A food washing station has been constructed at SIDO Market to improve food hygiene standards, and the "Lishe Yangu, Kesho Yangu" nutrition awareness campaign has reached over 530,000 residents. In the education sector, more than 120 schools have been engaged through school meal coalitions, nutrition clubs, school gardens, and school feeding initiatives, with three model school kitchens constructed to support healthy school meals. Technical exchanges facilitated between Mbeya, Zurich, and Cox's Bazar have further promoted learning and innovation in urban food systems.

Looking ahead, IC4N remains committed to creating a healthier, more inclusive, and sustainable urban food system in Mbeya. Through continued partnerships, innovation, and community engagement, the project is helping ensure that every resident—especially vulnerable populations such as women, children, and low-income households—has access to nutritious food and the opportunity to live a healthy life. The foundations laid through policy integration, infrastructure development, and community empowerment position Mbeya as a model for sustainable urban food systems in Tanzania and beyond.