Maria Antonia Guillermo-Tuazon (Nutrition and Food Systems Officer, FAO) presents a case from Lao  People's Democratic Republic. A 18-month pilot project on capacity building for food security and better nutrition was implemented by several partners. At that time, chronic malnutrition in the country stood at 40 per cent, with no observable decline over the past ten years.

The project’s goal was to improve food and nutrition security of low-income rural families in areas with high concentration of malnutrition. The project based on participatory needs assessments ; considered gender issues; addressed capacities building about food system approach for different stakeholders; supported productive activities like horticulture and small animal breedings.

At the end of the 18-month period, the programme documented health, nutrition and economic benefits.

The lessons learned are given and can be helpful for future similar projects.