The situation: It is estimated that in the developing world 1 in 4 children under 5 years old are underweight. 900 million people around the world go to sleep hungry each night. The United Nation’s Millennium Development Goal 1 (MDG1) is to eradicate extreme hunger and poverty, a goal that the world aims to reach by 2015.

To make a significant contribution to the realization of MDG1, the CEO’s of Unilever, DSM and TNT initiated the Partnering for Prosperity initiative. Operationalized by Global Compact Network Netherlands and BoP Innovation Center, the initiative aims to increase the number and impact of private sector initiatives towards realizing MDG1. It focuses on strengthening sustainable food systems and increasing access to quality food.

Market value: The BoP food market is estimated to be worth almost US$2895 billion.

The solution: Through developing local entrepreneurship and involving the private sector, local sustainable food systems need to be created. This will enable BoP producers and BoP entrepreneurs to work together with other actors in developing sufficient, healthy food for the local market.

The Partnering for Prosperity initiative comprises different projects. For more information on the projects under this initiative please click here.

For a general impression of BoP Innovation Center's activities on sustainable food systems: