UBS Optimus Foundation is partnering with government and private donors in a major new global initiative to put nutrition at the centre of the development agenda and raise CHF65 million for these efforts over the next eight years.
This significant scale-up aims to dramatically improve children’s nutrition, reduce stunting, and help prevent death from under-nutrition.
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In the lead-up to this year’s G8 Summit in Northern Ireland, leaders from foundations including the UBS Optimus Foundation, government donors and developing countries, met on 8 June 2013 in London to sign an agreement placing good nutrition among the highest priorities on the development agenda.
Preventable undernutrition is responsible for the death of more than 8,000 children every day. It also has a negative economic impact, and is believed to reduce GDP in Africa and Asia by up to 11% every year.
During the meeting, the UBS Optimus Foundation announced a commitment of CHF15 million for nutrition related projects in developing countries. In addition, the Foundation agreed to contribute to a novel "Nutrition for Growth Facility" announced during the 8 June meeting.
Through a new agreement between the Foundation and other partners involved in the London meeting, all donations from UBS clients which the Foundation directs to the new facility will be doubled. Partners include the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation and the Governments of Canada and the UK.
Jamie Broderick, CEO, UBS Wealth Management UK, said, "In effect, the UBS Optimus Foundation is announcing a double-your-money pledge drive and intends to raise up to 25 million additional Swiss francs over the next eight years, which, through the new agreement, will be matched by other funders to reach CHF50 million over and above the Foundation’s current commitment of CHF15 million.
"The funds will be used to expand priority, evidence-based programs; support innovations to deliver nutrition at scale; and strengthen nutrition governance and monitoring and evaluation systems."
Phyllis Costanza, CEO of the UBS Optimus Foundation, said, "The commitments made in London will have a significant impact on child survival, and help more children achieve their full potential. We stand at an historical threshold. The end of under-nutrition is possible," said "We are so grateful for the generosity of UBS clients and impressed by their desire to improve the world. We are delighted that this new agreement allows us to double the impact of their charitable investments in children’s nutrition."
Since its creation in 1999 the UBS Optimus Foundation has received more than 21,000 donations, raising CHF200 million to support more than 300 projects in 75 countries around the world. The Foundation currently supports nutrition-related projects in 18 countries.
