Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, has some of the most worrying nutrition statistics globally. Poor nutrition among young people in particular is widespread – for example, rates of stunted growth due to malnutrition are incredibly high, at more than 36% (the world’s average is 25%). On the other hand, Indonesia’s digital landscape is fast evolving; 30% of the population accesses the internet through a phone and 130 million people use Facebook.

Opportunity to connect with millions of adolescent girls

This opens up an opportunity to connect with millions of adolescent girls where they are, on their phones, in a way that has never before been possible. The innovative partnership supported through funding by the Government of Canada will see Nutrition International and Girl Effect come together to create and disseminate nutrition specific content that girls will love and interact with.

Joel Spicer, President and CEO, Nutrition International, said:

“At Nutrition International, we strive to do development differently, to break down silos and work with innovative partners. This ground-breaking partnership with Girl Effect will reach millions of adolescent girls directly, on their phones, with the information and support they need to take their nutrition into their own hands. Knowledge is power, and this partnership is designed to empower girls across Indonesia to improve their nutrition, and their lives.”

Improving girls’ knowledge and shifting behaviours around nutrition

Through Nutrition Leverage and Influence for Transformation (NLIFT), a Nutrition International initiative which integrates nutrition interventions into existing development programmes, and Springster, Girl Effect’s global mobile platform for girls, nutrition content will be delivered in a range of formats including factual articles, stories from girls, quizzes, games, and Q&As with expert advice columnists. The aim of the partnership is to improve millions of Indonesian girls’ knowledge and shift behaviours around nutrition so they can lead healthier, happier lives.

Springster Indonesia already reaches more than 2.4 million young girls – a figure set to double by May 2019. One of Facebook Free Basics’ top five most visited websites, the Springster platform gives the partnership the unique opportunity to reach girls in Indonesia with entertaining, inspiring content that speaks to girls in their own words, making it as meaningful and impactful as possible.

Farah Ramzan Golant, CEO of Girl Effect, said:

“The combination of Girl Effect’s expertise in engaging adolescent girls online and Nutrition International’s technical prowess in nutrition makes this a truly breakthrough collaboration. Through Springster – Girl Effect’s branded digital platform designed with, by and for girls – Girl Effect and Nutrition International seek to together create measurable shifts in the way Indonesia’s girls approach nutrition to fuel their daily lives and to impact their futures. There is a dynamic and natural energy which flows between our two organisations and we could not be more excited about what lies ahead.”

8 June will mark the announcement of the partnership, with a co-hosted networking reception at Canada House in London. Janice Charette, High Commissioner of Canada to the UK, said:

“We are pleased to host Nutrition International and Girl Effect at Canada House to launch their new partnership. Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy encourages cross sector collaboration to reach and empower adolescent girls. Through this partnership, we look forward to seeing the positive impact these two organizations will have on the lives of Indonesian girls.”

Find out more about Springster. 

Learn more about Girl Effect’s partners.