Good nutrition is both a marker of human rights and a driver of transformative change. It signifies healthier lives, stronger economies, constitutes the foundation for resilience and touches upon every Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).  

However, progress on nutrition is threatened by the ongoing polycrisis of conflict, economic shocks, climate change, and biodiversity loss. Over 149 million children remain stunted and 45 million suffer from wasting, with childhood obesity rising alarmingly. Furthermore, 2.6 billion people are overweight or obese, and more than half the world suffers from micronutrient deficiencies. Nearly one in three people cannot afford a healthy diet – a figure that rises to two-thirds in low-income countries.  

Recognising that there can be no single solution to such unprecedented challenges, the European Union and its Member States remain committed to advancing nutrition across the globe. Nutrition is recognised as a key area of action underpinning progress across health, agri-food systems, education, gender equality, climate resilience, and economic stability. The Global Gateway strategy promotes a 360-degree approach to secure high social, environmental and governance standards (ESG) across EU actions. Respect for human rights, the rule of law and non-discrimination are therefore advanced while addressing education, gender, youth empowerment, social rights and the reduction of inequalities – all of which are central to the goal of ending malnutrition and fostering long term resilience and stability.  

The compendium provides a glimpse into achievements and a call to action.  

At the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Tokyo in 2021, Team Europe made a bold commitment of EUR 4.3 billion to fighting the global malnutrition crisis, including pledges of seven member states (Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Slovenia) and of the European Union. By 2023 the European Commission alone had already committed EUR 4.4 billion to projects with a nutrition objective – exceeding the initial pledge.  

Like a mosaic, by exploring some of the projects financed as part of this pledge, the compendium showcases Team Europe’s collaborative, multi-sectoral, and rights-based approach to nutrition – consistently addressing the structural drivers of malnutrition.  

It opens 18 thematic windows to provide a glimpse into the breadth and diversity of Team Europe’s nutrition portfolio. These themes – spanning agroecology, education, resilience, infant and young child feeding, social protection, markets and value chains, and gender equality – illustrate how interconnected approaches are driving transformative outcomes.