Country Office Annual Report 2023

Cabo Verde - 6820

Update on the context and situation of children
Over the past two years, Cabo Verde has been gradually recovering from the impacts of recent crises,
namely the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Despite
commendable progress, considerable hurdles persist, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable
segments of the population, including women, children, and the elderly. The country's primary
macroeconomic indicators underscore this vulnerability.
The economy has exhibited signs of resilience with a robust recovery in 2022, resulting in a forecasted
GDP growth of 4.5 percent in 2023 after an impressive 17.7 percent growth the previous year,
surpassing the West African average. This resurgence brings the country back to its potential long-term
GDP growth. However, the outlook remains uncertain due to multiple adverse factors, including the
repercussions of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the recent conflict in Gaza, the impacts of climate
change, and a slow recovery in Europe, a significant source of tourists for Cabo Verde.
After experiencing an 8 percent inflation rate in 2022, which adversely affected the real income of low-
income families, the inflation rate is anticipated to decrease to 3 percent in 2023. Monetary policy,
previously accommodative, witnessed a shift as the Bank of Cabo Verde tightened its stance by
increasing interest rates in 2023. This adjustment aimed to reduce the interest rate differential with the
European Central Bank and safeguard parity. Fiscal risks loom large, driven by a high level of public
debt projected to reach 120% of GDP in 2023 and an escalating debt service burden. Structural
impediments persist, including limited private sector engagement in the industrial sector, low
agricultural productivity, a shortage of skilled labor, and inadequate inter-island air and maritime
transport infrastructure. Moreover, Cabo Verde remains highly susceptible to the adverse effects of
climate change, evident in prolonged droughts with severe consequences for vulnerable groups,
especially children, women, and the elderly.
The year 2023 marked the start of the implementation of the six transformative projects outlined in the
Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development (PEDS II) for 2023-2026. To mobilize resources for these
projects, which include a special emphasis on social initiatives benefiting children, women, and the
elderly, the Cabo Verdean Government, with support from the Joint Office (JO), organized an
International Partners Conference on Boavista Island in April 2023. The conference successfully
attracted 1,578,299,493 Euros for these transformative projects, with participation from around 300
attendees, including representatives from crucial development partners such as the United Nations
System, the European Union, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and various bilateral
partners.
In a bid to explore innovative financing mechanisms, the Cabo Verde Government, with strong support
from the JO through the technical and financial support provided to the development of the BLU-X
platform, collaborated with the Stock Exchange of Cabo Verde, S.A and International Investment
Bank, S.A. (iib) to issue sustainable bonds, including blue and green bonds. This partnership, building
on the success of a social bond issuance in 2022, reflects a shared commitment to contribute
significantly to the country's competitiveness and sustainable development. As an example, a
significant portion of the proceeds from the recently issued green bonds is earmarked to reinforce
childcare services at Praia Central Hospital (Hospital Agostinho Neto).
In a decisive move, the Government, supported by JO, officially launched the National Strategy for the
Eradication of Extreme Poverty (ENEPE) in 2023. This ambitious goal requires concerted efforts from
all sectors of society and support from development partners. Responding promptly, the United Nations
system allocated resources to aid in achieving this crucial aim. The strategy prioritizes vulnerable
children and women, placing them at the forefront of attention.
Cabo Verde has been recognized as a proficient performer in achieving Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) 3 and 4, with notable progress in ensuring high enrollment rates in schools. However,
persistent gaps exist in eliminating education inequities, particularly for lower-income households and

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children with disabilities. It is imperative to ensure quality education for all, although the country has
made strides, the assessment of the quality of education remains challenging due to limited data.
Accelerating efforts in teacher development programs is vital for achieving inclusive, high-quality
education, aligning with the broader agenda of SDGs.
The preschool enrollment in 2022-2023 has risen to 92%, benefiting the development of children,
especially girls (87.4%). Primary education remains stable, but there are concerns about boys falling
behind after elementary school. The transition from 8th to 9th grade dropped significantly from 78% to
54.0%, revealing a gender gap (47.0% boys, 61.0% girls). Enrollment in upper secondary education
fell from 52.5% to 49.1%, with a particular impact on boys (38.9% in 2022-2023) due to social, gender
issues, and pedagogical issues (the entry into force of a new assessment system that is less flexible
when it comes to the transition between the study cycles within primary and secondary education).
Compulsory basic education maintains a net enrollment rate of 77%. Upper secondary education saw a
slight drop from 52.5% to 49.1%. This situation calls for a more in-depth analysis of the factors
influencing school transitions.

Major contributions and drivers of results

UNICEF-CO played an important role in supporting the country’s efforts in achieving relevant
outcomes, particularly in strengthening human capital, by improving the conditions of access of the
most vulnerable populations, especially women and children, to basic services. The key results
achieved during this period, are presented below.
In the context of RA1-Every Child Survives And Thrives, Cabo Verde made substantial progress in
advancing the well-being of its population, particularly focusing on maternal, child, and adolescent
health. UNICEF-CO played a pivotal role in supporting the MoH and civil society organizations to
implement a range of interventions, achieving significant results at both community and national
levels.
UNICEF-CO collaborated synergistically with other UN agencies to develop and approve crucial
health strategic documents for the MoH. These included the National Health Promotion Plan 2023-
2027, the National Strategic Plan for Comprehensive Child and Adolescent Health 2023-2027, the
Protocol for Comprehensive Child and Adolescent Health Care in Primary Care, and the Risk
Communication and Community Engagement Plan against Dengue Outbreak. The initiation of the
National Strategic Plan for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health 2024-2028 marked a strategic move
towards future planning. Additionally, support was extended to the national response to HIV, Syphilis,
and other diseases, with a substantial national fund approval of 4.8 million euros.
The UNICEF-CO also focused on strengthening institutional capacities, particularly in routine
vaccination. The EPI Technical Support Core Team saw regular meetings, and strategies were devised
to reinforce immunization across all 22 municipalities. A significant achievement was the
strengthening of the capacity of 40 health professionals, from all the 22 municipalities, in Effective
Vaccine Management (EVM). The Evaluation of EVM was carried out at 14 selected health facilities,
in the municipalities of Praia, São Lourenço dos Órgãos, Tarrafal, Bela Vista, Rª de Craquinha,
Espargos, Santa Maria, São Filipe, and Mosteiros, resulting in an impressive EVM score of 87%.
Digitalization initiatives in health, such as the implementation of the eStock Management Tool (eSMT)
in the Expanded Vaccination Program, showcased the commitment to innovative solutions. Initiatives
such as vaccine data management were implemented with the eStock Management Tool (eSMT)
introduced in the Expanded Vaccination Program after the technical capacity of 32 health professionals
in the 22 municipalities strengthened in eSMT. For the African Vaccination Week 2023 celebration, in
synchronization with the 24 countries of the West Africa Region, Cabo Verde launched a "Big Catch
Up" post-COVID-19 vaccination against Polio, reaching around 6,000 additional children aged under 5
years old.

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The Poliomyelitis Elimination process was technically supported by the UNICEF-CO, resulting in
Poliomyelitis committees (national and sub-national) being reactivated. The national response to the
possible introduction of the novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV2) (in the eventual event of a polio
epidemic) was prepared with the following plans drawn up and approved: i) National Advocacy Plan
for the introduction of nOPV2; ii) National Communication Plan on nOPV2 and iii) National Crisis
Communication Plan on nOPV2.
UNICEF-CO supported the country in introducing the 2nd dose of Polio Injectable Vaccine (VPI) into
the vaccination calendar, vaccinating 99.98% of nine-month-old infants (8199 out of a total of 8201).
Another important achievement was the HPV vaccination expanded to boys aged 10 to 14, with a
nationwide vaccination campaign launched by the Prime Minister, which resulted in 91.6% (220,065)
of boys aged 10 to 14, being vaccinated. The Vaccination Cold Chain was reinforced with cold chain
equipment, consumables, and remote temperature monitoring (syringes, safety boxes for
syringes/needles, refrigerators, and remote temperature monitors).
Maternal services at two Central and 4 Regional Hospitals were reinforced by the UNICEF-CO, with
updated protocols (Obstetric Emergency Protocol and the Neonatal Care Protocol) and essential
equipment, such as 70 Portable Doppler Fetal, 2 Cardiotocographs, and 20 neonatal pulse sensors,
ensuring the safety and quality of childbirth. Four Community Health Structures in São Nicolau Island
received technical equipment to bolster community health primary care. Institutional national
capacities were enhanced in the Health Information System (SIS), monitoring monthly data from the
country's thirty-two Health Centers, and in Digital Health with the reinforcement of the National
Health Service Digitalization Programme, through the Digital Health Strategic Plan.
Efforts were directed towards promoting immediate and exclusive breastfeeding, involving the
Women Parliamentarians Network in the national discussion to create conditions for continuous
breastfeeding in the workplace. With the support of UNICEF-CO, various activities during World
Breastfeeding Week were conducted across all 22 municipalities, highlighting the significance of
breastfeeding. Additional activities included the Human Milk Donation Day celebration, reactivation
of two Human Milk Collection Centers, training of twenty-two health professionals in Breastfeeding
Management, in in partnership with a Brazilian civil society association BEMFAM, and updating,
publishing, and dissemination of the Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes.
UNICEF-CO also supported the implementation of a comprehensive program to reduce anemia in
children and pregnant women, incorporating iron supplementation in schools, distribution of iron to
100% of pregnant women, and micronutrient purchases. This initiative resulted in a notable reduction
in the anemia rate in under-5 children, from 52% to 43%. The Study on the Prevalence of Intestinal
Parasitosis and Disorders due to Iodine Deficiency demonstrated positive trends (from 78.5% in
2012 to 41.3% in 2021), showcasing improvements in national health over the years.
Efforts to prevent Non-Communicable Diseases were reinforced by the UNICEF-CO, including
proposed legislation on reducing salt, sugar, and fat consumption, promotion of healthy food among
children and adolescents, and guidelines on food and nutrition in educational establishments, which
were approved by the National Direction of Health and the National Direction of Education.
Nutritional surveillance at the primary healthcare level was strengthened with anthropometric
equipment delivered to 100% of Nutrition Services, and a National Household Food and Nutrition
Vulnerability Survey was prepared. Communication materials to promote balanced nutrition in public
preschools and schools were produced and distributed 100% nationwide. Youth and adolescent health
were prioritized, reaching over 12,681 young people and adolescents in 13 out of 22 municipalities.
Nutrition education, mental health promotion, including food diversity to prevent obesity and other
relevant themes were effectively communicated to this target group.
Under RA2-Every Child Learns, UNICEF-CO continued its commitment to enhancing the
educational landscape, focusing on improving teaching conditions and the quality of learning for
young children in Cabo Verde.
To strengthen the educational environment in nurseries, UNICEF-CO facilitated the provision of
play materials and ongoing training for 272 childcare workers across 25 nurseries. This initiative
benefitted more than 700 children aged 0 to 3 years, fostering a conducive and enriching atmosphere
for their early development.
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In preschool education, UNICEF-CO played a pivotal role in elevating teaching quality by supplying
play materials to 141 public kindergartens, impacting approximately 3,800 children. This initiative
aimed to create engaging learning environments for young learners, promoting their cognitive and social
growth.
UNICEF-CO extended its support to the MoE, working towards enhancing learning outcomes,
particularly in basic education. By providing training in pedagogical supervision for 100% of the
pedagogical coordinators and sub-directors identified (735 individuals), UNICEF-CO contributed to
the improvement of teaching practices in classrooms across elementary and secondary education
levels.
To address learning losses and promote inclusion, especially for children with Specific Educational
Needs, UNICEF-CO facilitated the strengthening of pedagogical skills through continuous in-service
training. This involved fostering exchanges of experiences and best practices, in terms of inclusion,
among around a hundred elementary school teachers, representing approximately 5% of teachers from
grades 1 to 6, across different schools and municipalities.
Recognizing the importance of digital education in transforming the quality and inclusivity of
learning, UNICEF-CO introduced digital language learning (Portuguese, English, and French) through
the Akelius app. This blended learning approach, combining traditional and digital methods, reached
618 children (50% girls), from five schools in four municipalities (two urban and two rural).
Additionally, the implementation of the Learning Passport Cabo Verde digital learning project
commenced, involving the training of national design teams in digital resources and the provision of a
dedicated platform for Cabo Verde.
UNICEF-CO's influence extended to the strategic level, where it contributed to the development of a
National Strategy for the Transition to Digital Education by 2026. This comprehensive strategy
encompasses macro and operational guidelines, reflecting the organization's advocacy and technical
assistance in navigating the digital transition. Building on the country's Declaration of Commitment
made during the Education Transformation Summit in 2022, UNICEF-CO facilitated the establishment
of a Partnership Pact in 2023, aimed at prioritizing reforms to enhance the inclusion and quality of
learning in preschool education and the subsequent 1st cycle of basic education. The envisioned
reforms are anticipated to significantly alleviate the existing learning crisis in the country, marking a
crucial step towards a more inclusive and effective education system.
As part of RA3-Every Child Is Protected From Violence And Exploitation, the UNICEF-CO Child
Protection AWP and its partners yielded significant accomplishments in the domain of Child
Protection. Together with various stakeholders, the program made notable strides in several key areas.
One noteworthy achievement involved the establishment of safe spaces to cater to the needs of
children and families in contact with the justice system. A pedagogical space within the National
Police was created, offering a secure environment for the care of these vulnerable individuals. Another
significant achievement was the establishment of two digital learning rooms, managed by ICCA, to
facilitate the digital education of over 150 children and adolescents facing vulnerabilities, particularly
those in street situations, in Santa Maria (Sal) and Praia (Santiago).
In the pursuit of reducing social inequalities and ensuring the universalization of birth registration
by 2027, the program successfully contributed to registering 98% of children aged 0–1 through civil
registry authorities, marking a significant step towards providing access to fundamental rights for all.
Also, the UNICEF-CO and the RO organized a meeting to share experiences and good practices from
Cabo Verde in the domain of civil registration with a focus on Birth Registration with Portuguese-
speaking countries.
The UNICEF-CO continued its support to the Attorney General's Office, particularly in the realm of
paternity investigations. Notably, in Praia, 90% of the 3,379 pending cases in 2023 were successfully
closed, underscoring the importance of maintaining this critical partnership.
Recognizing the importance of enhancing technical capacities, the UNICEF-CO’s program focused
on training Child Protections professionals. For instance, 83 (8 Female; 75 Male) professionals and
coordinators in preschool education received training in integrated sexuality education in 5
municipalities (Tarrafal, Santa Catarina, Ribeira Grande, Porto Novo, and Paul), which will support

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children/students to acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to understand and value human
sexuality in all its dimensions. And thirty professionals from the ICCA, the National Police, and
NGOs, were trained in tools and techniques to work with children and adolescents in street situations
in Praia, Sal, Boa Vista, and Sao Vicente Islands. Also, 50 media and health professionals were trained
in Forensic Medicine with an emphasis on sexual crimes against children and adolescents. 25
psychologists from ICCA and other institutions were trained in forensic psychology aimed at
reinforcing ICCA's commitment, to strengthen the protection of children against violence, with a
special emphasis on sexual violence, and 60 professionals of ICCA, Public Ministry, and Health
sectors were trained on national and international adoption, during an international training program. In
response to the challenges posed by COVID-19, the program played a pivotal role in the recovery
process. School and food support reached 490 children and adolescents and 263 families in Praia city.
Additionally, approximately 12,414 individuals received community-based mental health and
psychosocial support, with 1,450 children who had experienced violence benefiting from social work
and justice enforcement services, of which 334 victims of Sexual Violence were reached by the Public
Ministry (General Attorney Office).
Educationally, the collaborative efforts between the MoH, MoE, and ICCA resulted in the
development of an integrated sexuality education guide for adolescents distributed at the national
level. Furthermore, World Children's Day and the 34th CRC were celebrated through an extraordinary
session of the juvenile parliament, focusing on climate change and child rights. This extraordinary
session of the juvenile parliament culminated in a "Manifesto" signed by 72 child and youth
parliamentarians. In advocating for child protection, also the program actively has supported the
country in the development of a case management and information system.
Also, the UNICEF-CO together with ICCA, and the Ministry of Justice engaged and backed the Cabo
Verde Music Award (CVMA)'s social responsibility campaign, emphasizing collective action against
sexual abuse. Hundreds of people attended the Gala while thousands watched it live on TV and
Facebook including in Portugal and Angola. The Gala was entirely dedicated to CVMA’s social
responsibility campaign on the prevention and fight against VAC, under the motto “Djuntu, Num Só
Voz - Zero Abuso Sexual Contra Crianças” (together in one voice - zero sexual abuse against children)
and aimed to engage the audience and artists (in the future) in the protection of children against
violence, using her voice, message, and social projects to prevent and fight VAC.
In the context of RA4-Every Child Lives In A Safe And Clean Environment, universal, affordable, and
sustainable access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene is a critical health issue in international
development, prominently addressed by the first two targets of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG
6). These targets, 6.1 and 6.2, emphasize the importance of achieving equitable and affordable water
and sanitation for all. The concept of "Access to WASH" encompasses clean water, adequate
sanitation, and hygiene education, playing a pivotal role in improving health, life expectancy, student
learning, gender equality, and other crucial international development issues. As such, water,
sanitation, and hygiene stand out as immediate priorities in the recovery process.
In a UNICEF-CO-supported initiative implemented in schools, the focus was on raising awareness
within the school community about the imperative need for continuous education on well-being
through effective water, hygiene, and basic sanitation management. The initiative unfolded through
interactive lessons delivered to groups of 40 children, aged between 10 and 12, in primary schools
across various locations, including São Martinho Grande, São Domingos, Santa Cruz, São Jorge dos
Órgãos, Praia, and Picos in Santiago; João Galego in Boavista; Achada Furna in Fogo; and Figueira
and Calheta in Maio. Following the educational program, a selection process identified a group of
"winning" pupils who would serve as WASH Initiative Ambassadors at their respective schools. These
ambassadors, in collaboration with school management, took on the responsibility of promoting
activities and ensuring the effective implementation of the WASH program.
A broader WASH in Schools Program, executed in collaboration with the MoE, disseminated
information about WASH and SDGs in 10 primary schools across 9 municipalities on 6 islands. A total
of 329 children, comprising 49.5% boys and 50.5% girls, benefited from the program, which also
engaged 23 teachers. The initiative produced and distributed educational materials, including 40
posters, 12-piece puzzle games, 10 memory games, 560 sweatshirts for children and adults, 500 books
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of paintings, 330 boxes of colored pencils, and 6 trophies. Each of these materials was designed to
reinforce key messages related to personal sanitation, sanitation in schools, sanitation at home, and
sanitation in the community.
The UNICEF-CO-supported initiative stands as a comprehensive effort to instill the importance of
WASH practices within the younger generation, utilizing creative and interactive educational tools
to inspire positive behavioral change and contribute to the broader goals of sustainable development.
Under the RA5-Every Child Has An Equitable Chance In Life, UNICEF-CO in collaboration with
UNDP, played a crucial role in advancing the implementation of the Government's Social Protection
programs, achieving significant milestones throughout the year.
The Single Social Registry underwent a comprehensive update, with 36,213 individuals
incorporated, registering 5,160 new households, totaling around 14,875 individuals. Database
enhancements were introduced to ensure more precise targeting of potential beneficiaries for social
protection programs at the national level. Measures were implemented to enhance indicators for
households registered in CSU across all 22 municipalities, strengthening mechanisms for targeting
beneficiaries and improving family monitoring at the municipal level. The introduction of a feedback
loop mechanism proved successful in enhancing program adaptability, fostering social inclusion, and
combating poverty. This mechanism ensured that social protection programs remained responsive to
evolving needs. In collaboration with UNDP, UNICEF-CO supported the elaboration of the Statute
of the Informal Carer, providing a comprehensive characterization of roles, networks, rights, and
duties within the informal caregiving sector. This initiative empowered informal caregivers,
contributing to a more inclusive social protection landscape.
UNICEF-CO implemented a local initiative in two municipalities, benefiting 350 families through a
cash-for-work program (250 in Santa Cruz and 100 in Ribeira Grande de Santiago) aimed at
safeguarding the livelihoods of vulnerable households severely affected by food insecurity,
strengthening their incomes through community work focused on soil and water conservation. The
UNICEF-CO also undertook initiatives to enhance the technical capacities of social protection
actors across all 22 municipalities, resulting in a significant improvement in the quality of services
delivered, with a sustained impact on vulnerable populations.
In Statistics, UNICEF-CO reinforced the technical capabilities of INE and ODINES in producing,
analyzing, and disseminating quality data. Technical and financial support enabled the production of
the “Retrospective of Cape Verde's population 2010-2021 and demographic projections 2021-2040,”
offering critical statistical information for monitoring PEDS and SDGs. Specific analyses following the
2021 CENSUS, including Fertility and mortality analysis and Macroeconomic analysis, provided
essential statistical insights for decision-making and policy measures.
In Youth Participation and Empowerment, UNICEF-CO, alongside UNFPA, and under the leading role
of UNDP strengthened national capacities through the YouthConnekt Cabo Verde Program. This
initiative harnessed the potential of an online platform, generating eight national funding opportunities
and mobilizing over 3,000 young people, benefiting 1,618 directly. Four regional and one national
youth forum engaged around 700 and 400 youth, fostering dialogue between authorities and youth.
Porto Novo was designated Cabo Verdean Youth Capital 2023, and hosted activities promoting
exchange, mobility, and cultural knowledge for youth from all 22 municipalities. Nine Leadership
workshops attended by 232 association leaders and discussions on green skills on International Youth
Day, with the Vice Prime Minister and Porto Novo’s Mayor, emphasized the role of youth in
innovative solutions for SDGs and national development, reinforcing the commitment to youth
participation and empowerment.
UN Collaboration and Other Partnerships
In pursuit of comprehensive and sustainable development goals, the UNICEF-CO, alongside key
partners, engaged in multifaceted collaborations across various goal areas to uplift communities and
enhance the well-being of children in Cabo Verde. This collaborative effort spans critical domains,
from ensuring every child survives and thrives to fostering equitable education, protection from
violence, and creating safe and clean environments. The synergy between the UN agencies, such as
WHO, FAO, UNFPA, and UNDP, is evident in the remarkable achievements in health, education, child

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protection, and disaster response. These strategic partnerships extend beyond the UN framework,
involving government entities, private sectors, and international organizations to collectively address
the diverse needs of Cabo Verde's children.
In 2023, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO, and FAO, achieved
significant results in immunization and nutrition. UNICEF WCARO played a crucial role in supporting
resource mobilization efforts through the CDS 3rd funding window for AMC-30 countries, and
collaboration with the Portuguese Committee for UNICEF contributed to the achieved results.
UNICEF-CO provided technical support to the Ministry of Health within the framework of the Global
Education Partnership, resulting in the mobilization of $5 million for education in Cabo Verde.
Ongoing collaboration with UNFPA focused on strengthening teachers' skills in addressing issues of
sexuality and gender in schools, along with peer education through School Radios.
A partnership with the Greek Embassy in Dakar yielded significant progress in protecting children in
street situations in Praia and Sal islands. This collaboration led to the creation of digital learning rooms
supporting over 150 vulnerable children and adolescents in Santa Maria (Sal) and Praia. Due to the
success of this initiative, the government sought to extend the intervention to Sao Vicente Island,
addressing concerns about children in vulnerable situations.
In response to a seismic of magnitude 4 to 4.5 on the Richter Scale on the island of Brava, a joint effort
involving several United Nations agencies ((UNDAC, OCHA, IOM, UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, FAO),
international partners (EU, Spain, Red Cross) and the government was mobilized. The UNICEF-CO
actively participated in the Task Force, contributing to the assessment of conditions and reception
capacity of Fogo Island, updating contingency plans, and preparing operational plans for mass
evacuation. Specifically, the UNICEF-CO supported the preparation of the list of supplies, including
Dignity Kits for girls and women through the deployment of remote TA. Vulnerable groups such as
Children (1673 children from 0 to 14 years, 841 boys, and 832 girls) as well as elderly, and disabled
persons were considered in the exercise of preparedness for Brava Emergency.
Also, UNICEF as a member of the Joint Office, with UNDP and UNFPA, promoted joint interventions
in social protection, statistics, and youth leveraging the comparative advantages of the three agencies
to support Cape Verde's sustainable development, prioritized public-private partnerships, engaged with
local authorities, and collaborated with all 22 municipalities to ensure an equitable chance for every
child in Cabo Verde's development. These collaborative efforts across various goal areas reflect the
commitment of UNICEF-CO and its partners to address diverse challenges and promote the well-being
of children in Cabo Verde.
Lessons Learned and Innovations
Throughout the work plan implementation, some lessons were learned, and novel ideas emerged, from
navigating complexities and overcoming obstacles.
During the year, a valuable lesson learned revolves around the resilience forged through the robust
relationship between the Ministry of Health (MoH) and UNICEF-CO, in collaboration with
UNFPA and other UN agencies. Despite institutional changes, challenges were met head-on due to the
strong ties developed. Noteworthy achievements were attributed to the leadership and ownership
displayed by national authorities, both in the public and civil society sectors, even amidst
organizational shifts.
A multidisciplinary approach fostered effective partnerships among various MoH departments,
including the National Health Direction, The Public Health National Institute, and the Pharmaceutical
Affairs Cabinet. Collaboration with the Civil Society sector facilitated integrated and coordinated
programming, involving diverse actors such as parliamentarians. The emphasis on the active
implementation of defined interventions and the identification of innovative solutions, especially for
specific demographics like adolescents, was a hallmark of this approach. To streamline coordination
and ensure efficiency, mechanisms for formative supervision and coordination were put in place. The
Health Public Programs monitoring mechanism - Technical Support Core Team (NAT), created by
the MoH and inclusive of UNICEF-CO and national stakeholders, played a pivotal role in closely
coordinating institutional and technical interventions.

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Ongoing dialogue with education sector national partners and vigilant monitoring proved
instrumental in surmounting administrative hurdles. Coordination efforts extended to development
partners, including the World Bank and Portuguese Cooperation, ensuring consensus in planning, and
preventing programmatic duplication. In a groundbreaking move, UNICEF-CO's collaboration with
civil society led to the creation of the country's first fully inclusive illustrated children's book.
Available in Braille format, audio-visual, pictograms, and both Portuguese and Cape Verdean
languages, this innovative endeavor aimed at fostering inclusivity in educational materials.
Close collaboration was established with decentralized services responsible for implementing social
protection policies and programs at the municipal level. This proactive engagement facilitated the
expedited execution of activities and reinforced local capacities. Overcoming human resource
limitations, this approach significantly contributed to achieving the targeted results for the year. Also,
regular follow-up meetings with national partners proved pivotal in maintaining proximity to
stakeholders, aiding in activity implementation, revising work plans, and ensuring quality. Improved
collaboration and communication emerged as key enablers in optimizing activity implementation,
enhancing stakeholder engagement, and achieving desired results.
Challenges related to Quantum functionality, resulting in delays in fund transfers to implementing
partners, and changes in intermediate management and human resource limitations were navigated to
complete the planned activities outlined in the Annual Work Plan (AWP). To address these challenges,
a strategic approach was adopted, involving twice-weekly follow-up meetings and regular working
sessions with the national implementing partner. This initiative enhanced oversight of activity
implementation and fortified the sector's technical proficiency in UN procedures, monitoring, and
evaluation.

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