Share Fairs highlight experiences from food systems Training of Trainers (ToT) program in Ethiopia and Viet Nam

In October, the CGIAR Research Initiative on Sustainable Healthy Diets through Food Systems Transformation (SHiFT) hosted two Share Fairs in Ethiopia and Viet Nam, bringing together participants from its Training of Trainers (ToT) program. These events offered a platform for participants to exchange experiences and foster collaboration in a relaxed, dialogue-driven setting. 

SHiFT’s ToT program employs a cascading model. The first step, referred to as Level 1, involves training a cohort of expert trainers who then train the next cohort (Level 2). Level 2 trainers repeat this process with the following cohort (Level 3), expanding the program’s reach.  

In Ethiopia, the SHiFT ToT program completed Level 1 training at the national level in April 2024. This was followed by two awareness creation trainings for youth and the private sector. Level 2 training was rolled out in December 2024 at the regional level, incorporating the country’s new food systems transformation training manual, which SHiFT supported the development of. In Viet Nam, Level 1 training was completed in November 2023, with successful rollouts of Level 2 at the national level, and Level 3 in two provinces throughout 2024. In both countries, the ToT program was designed to align with their respective national food systems transformation plans. 

Share Fair Highlights 

Ethiopia  

On October 10, 2024, 13 participants attended the Share Fair in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. SHiFT’s Country Coordinator from Viet Nam, Tuyen Huynh, was in attendance, allowing Level 1 trainers from Ethiopia to learn how the ToT program has been rolled out in Viet Nam. Discussions centered around using the ToT model to mobilize multisectoral commitment to food systems transformation and identify strategies for supporting the expanding pool of trainers in facilitating change. The event also emphasized the importance of strategically selecting Level 2 participants who have the potential to effectively serve as food systems change agents.  

Viet Nam 

In Can Tho, Viet Nam, the Share Fair on October 28, 2024, drew over 50 participants. Expert trainers recommended tailoring the ToT content to suit specific sectors and expanding the program to reach target populations such as youth, women, and farmers. SHiFT’s Strategic Partners underscored the need for concise training materials that align with Viet Nam’s National Action Plan on Food Systems Transformation. 

In both countries, the Share Fairs were co-organized by CGIAR Centers and Wageningen University and Research (WUR), in collaboration with local partners. In Viet Nam, this included Can Tho University, the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS), the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), and the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agricultural and Rural Development (IPSARD). Participants represented these organizations, as well as other universities and provincial-level staff from the Dong Thap and Son La Food System technical teams. In Ethiopia, key partners included the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute.  

By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the Share Fairs facilitated cross-country learning and provided valuable input to strengthen the ToT program. 

Header image: Participant delivers a poster presentation during the Share Fair in Viet Nam / Alliance of Bioversity & CIAT; Can Tho University

The International Food Policy Research Institute and the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT lead SHiFT in close collaboration with Wageningen University and Research and with contributions from the International Potato Center. SHiFT combines high-quality nutritional and social science research capacity with development partnerships to generate innovative, robust solutions that contribute to healthier, more sustainable dietary choices and consumption of sustainable healthy diets. It builds on CGIAR’s unparalleled track record of agricultural research for development, including ten years of work on food systems and nutrition under the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health.