Evaluation of the Food and Nutrition Security, Impact, Resilience, Sustainability, and Transformation (FIRST) Programme – Follow-up Report

This program evaluation report assesses the effectiveness of the FIRST Programme, a joint initiative by FAO and the EU aimed at enhancing food security, resilience, and policy reform in participating countries. The report highlights key policy recommendations, implementation challenges, and lessons learned from six years of engagement. Findings indicate that the FIRST Programme successfully influenced national policy dialogues, strengthened food security governance, and improved policy implementation capacities. However, funding constraints and shifting EU priorities pose challenges to its continuity. The report recommends long-term commitments to public sector reform, strengthened trilateral partnerships, and regional cooperation for sustainable food systems transformation.