ILO joins forces with EU, UNICEF, WFP and the Government of Timor-Leste to fight malnutrition and strengthen social protection
A signing ceremony marks the launch of a four-year initiative supporting the Government of Timor-Leste in strengthening social inclusion and nutrition in the country.
25 June 2025
DILI, Timor-Leste (ILO News) - The International Labour Organization (ILO) proudly joined the Government of Timor-Leste, the European Union (EU), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Programme (WFP) for the official signing of the Contribution Agreement and Grant for a new initiative aimed at strengthening social inclusion and nutrition across the country. Held on 24 June in Dili, the signing ceremony was presided over by H.E. Mariano Assanami Sabino, Vice Prime Minister, who also serves as the Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs and the Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing.
Helping the most vulnerable members of the community and building resilience within the most effective systems are key to sustainable development in Timor-Leste. We appreciate the continuous support from the ILO, WFP and UNICEF.
Mariano Assanami Sabino, Vice Prime Minister, who also serves as the Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs and the Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing
The ceremony also marked the launch of a four-year initiative designed to support vulnerable communities and build resilient national systems. With a total funding of 12 million euros—10 million allocated to the three United Nations’ (UN) agencies (ILO, UNICEF and WFP) and 2 million to civil society organizations—this EU-funded initiative will be implemented in the municipalities of Aileu, Covalima, Dili and Lautem.
Vice Prime Minister Sabino emphasized that investing in human capital and combating malnutrition are vital national priorities. He also highlighted that investing in social protection is not a cost but fundamental in human capital. “Helping the most vulnerable members of the community and building resilience within the most effective systems are key to sustainable development in Timor-Leste. We appreciate the continuous support from the ILO, WFP and UNICEF.”
“This new phase of our engagement will again rely on a strong partnership with the United Nations, in particular with the ILO, UNICEF and WFP,” said EU Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Marc Fiedrich. “The activities will focus on strengthening the capacity of the authorities to manage, implement and monitor integrated nutrition and social protection interventions. By working together, we can maximize the impact of our interventions.”
To date, Timor-Leste has one of the highest rates of child stunting globally, with nearly 47 percent of children under the age of five affected. Additionally, almost one in four women of reproductive age (15-49 years) suffer from anemia, reflecting some of the most severe malnutrition challenges in Southeast Asia.
The activities will focus on strengthening the capacity of the authorities to manage, implement and monitor integrated nutrition and social protection interventions. By working together, we can maximize the impact of our interventions.
Marc Fiedrich, EU Ambassador to Timor-Leste
Under this initiative, the three UN agencies will collaborate to advance a nationally owned, home-grown school feeding programme that is integrated with social protection, health, nutrition and education systems. The agencies will strengthen school health and nutrition initiatives, improve Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, promote local food production and enhance household and community resilience, particularly supporting women as key agents of positive change.
This joint effort will also focus on building government and community capacities to ensure the programmes sustainability while simultaneously enhancing national monitoring, reporting and coordination. These efforts aim to support evidence-based decision-making and accountability throughout implementation, fostering equity, social inclusion and lasting impact in Timor-Leste.
Jacqueline de Groot, Representative of WFP, delivered a speech on behalf of the three agencies, highlighting the importance of integrated, multi-sectoral collaboration to address nutrition, education, social protection and local food systems. “The critical elements of this partnership are skills and systems development that ensure governmental institutions, school committees, teachers and communities have the knowledge and skills to lead, manage and sustain these efforts over time. National ownership remains at the centre of everything we do”.
Drawing on its global expertise in strengthening social protection systems and promoting inclusive development, the ILO will focus on building a people-centered, integrated approach to expanding access to contributory social security schemes, particularly for informal workers such as farmers, fishers, domestic workers and street vendors, who often face barriers to enrollment due to low and unstable incomes. The initiative will strengthen national and municipal capacities, supported by targeted training and outreach, to ensure inclusive social protection reaches those most in need.