Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Action Planning Training Module Unit 5: Identifying Resources

Unit Purpose Estimate the resources required to implement planned strategies and activities.

Unit Objectives Estimate costs of MSNAP implementation. Identify potential sources of funding and other resources.

Identifying Resources Session 5.1 Identifying Resources

What Is a Budget? Simply put, a budget is an itemised summary of likely income and expenses for a given period.  It provides a concrete, organised, and easily understood breakdown of how much money you have coming in and how much you are letting go.   It is an invaluable tool to help you prioritise your spending and manage your funds— no matter how much or how little you have. 

Why Budget? The budget guides implementation of strategies and activities. Planning and monitoring your budget will help you identify wasteful expenditures and achieve your financial goals.  It formalises the coordination of activities between stakeholders while aligning these activities to the bigger picture: district/LLG plans and national plans. It acts as a resource mobilisation tool. It can improve performance evaluations, providing a common base for discussion on whether goals were met and whether they stayed on budget (or why they did not).

Steps in Budgeting Refer back to the Results Framework. What are you hoping to achieve? Identify resources. What funds are available and where are they coming from? Prioritise expenditures. Where are the funds going? To which activities? Summarise and review. Is the budget realistic given the available funds? Is more prioritisation needed?

Identification of Resources and Sources Work alongside your MSNAP editor to contribute to the development of your MSNAP budget. Reference your DDP budget and other district/LLG resources to check your estimates. Remember: Consider all possible sources: e.g., government grants, partners, locally generated funding. Not every activity needs a new budget or additional funding; consider what activities are already covered in existing department budgets and note them. In- kind support can also be included and planned. Always include budget notes that explain what is included in the figures and how estimates were made. Check the numbering of activities so you can easily link the budget to the other sections of the MSNAP.

MSNAP Budget Template The MSNAP budget is only a summary for the next five years. Detailed budgets will be captured in district/LLG annual work plans. Budget details should, however, inform summaries.

Update the MSNAP Template Using the results of Unit 5, you can begin drafting the Financing and Resource Mobilisation section of your MSNAP.