The Home Fortification Community of Practice: An Approach to Improve Inter-country Communication and Collaboration to Support the Implementation and Scaling-up of Home Fortification Programs

Abstract

Objectives: Home fortification is an innovative way to improve the diet with essential nutrients for targeted vulnerable groups who have higher requirements or do not benefit from other micronutrient interventions. As a relatively new program, there is a tremendous need for technical support. The idea of a community of practice was developed to facilitate inter-country and inter-agency dialogue and learning, with the following objectives: 1. To provide an opportunity and space to exchange information and experiences between program. Implementers. 2. To enhance learning, generate new knowledge and document lessons learned and best practices; and 3. To facilitate coordination, harmonization and support for the scale up of home fortification. Methods: Online survey and informal interviews were conducted to incorporate target users’ opinions on the online community’s organizational, technical and operational features, and the desired benefits and potential barriers to participation. Lessons from existing successful online communities were used to inform stakeholders’ engagement and increase their awareness and involvement. Results: The Home Fortification Network (network.hftag.org) was branded and created as an online discussion forum with organized topics and with document-sharing capabilities. A moderator helps to connect users and facilitate discussion. Different stakeholders around the world are engaged and promote its global awareness and participation. Conclusions: The Home Fortification Network at network.hftag.org is an online community of practice created to facilitate and improve inter-country and inter-agency communication and collaboration to support the implementation and scaling-up of home fortification programs around the world.