WFP and IAG extend partnership to strengthen inclusive programming
News-iag | July 20, 2026
CBM Global’s Inclusion Advisory Group (IAG) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have extended their long-term agreement for a further 12 months, continuing a partnership that helps WFP teams around the world strengthen disability inclusion in their programmes.
Since 2021, IAG has worked with WFP to provide timely, practical technical advice through a Disability Inclusion Helpdesk. The Helpdesk enables WFP staff to request tailored support on disability-inclusive programming – from guidance and tool development to training, monitoring, programme design, and engagement with organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs).
Over time, the partnership has extended the on-demand helpdesk model to combine responsive technical advice with more sustained capacity strengthening, mentoring, and strategic support to WFP’s Gender, Protection and Inclusion (GPI) Unit.
Supporting focal points through mentoring
In 2025, IAG and WFP piloted a mentoring and peer learning programme for WFP GPI Officers and disability inclusion focal points. The programme was designed to support colleagues who are responsible for turning disability inclusion commitments into practical action in country and regional contexts.
Through one-to-one mentoring, group clinics and peer learning, IAG advisors unpack local challenges and apply disability inclusion in their own operating contexts. Rather than working through generic training content, mentors supported focal points to make progress on real tasks – including disability inclusion action planning, disability data, OPD engagement, internal advocacy, training design, and integration of disability inclusion into country planning processes.
The mentoring approach complements the Helpdesk’s on-demand model by offering a regular space for reflection, problem-solving and confidence building. It helps focal points apply disability inclusion principles directly to their own work.
Early learning from the pilot shows that mentoring is most valuable when it is practical, adaptive and linked to real workstreams. Mentees have valued having a dedicated advisor to test ideas, review documents, think through internal advocacy, and support them to influence colleagues and leadership.
Building on this experience, an expanded second mentoring cohort will support WFP’s disability inclusion rollout in the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe.
Extending support across gender, protection and inclusion
IAG has also begun providing expanded support to WFP’s Gender, Protection and Inclusion Unit. This reflects a shared understanding that disability inclusion is most effective when it is embedded within wider approaches to inclusive, accountable and people-centred programming.
Recent assignments have included a meta-analysis of context analysis and risk assessment reports, a new toolkit to make such analysis more actionable, a review of gender-based violence-related programming, and emerging work on people-centred programming case studies and practical tools.
For WFP, this model provides additional technical capacity at a time when teams are managing complex operational demands, funding pressures and organisational change. For IAG, it creates opportunities to combine advisory support with research, evidence synthesis and learning – helping WFP translate evidence into practical tools and more systematic approaches to inclusive humanitarian programming.
Working with the disability movement
A key part of IAG’s approach is supporting WFP to engage meaningfully with OPDs and the wider disability movement. This includes brokering relationships, advising on consultation and partnership approaches, and involving OPD representatives directly in advisory activities.
For example, in Ethiopia, IAG supported a disability inclusion training of trainers process in which OPD representatives joined as co-facilitators alongside WFP focal points. This approach helps ensure training is grounded in lived experience, strengthens relationships between WFP and local OPDs, and supports more practical and accountable disability inclusion.
A partnership focused on practical change
“The IAG Helpdesk has become a vital resource for our teams. It’s not just about technical advice – it’s about using innovative models to source quality advice when you need it most. What started as an on-demand Helpdesk service has now expanded into something more impactful on inclusive programming in general, building capacity and – most importantly – trust in the way WFP works. The new mentoring and expanded support from IAG are exciting steps forward in strengthening our capacity to deliver for everyone.”
Kavita Brahmbhatt, Senior Disability Inclusion Advisor, WFP
As WFP continues to strengthen inclusive programming across its global operations, IAG is proud to support this work through practical advice, mentoring, learning, and collaboration with the disability movement. Together, the partnership is helping convert commitments on disability inclusion into action that is more relevant, more accountable, and more likely to reach the people most often left behind.
https://cbm-global.org/news-iag/wfp-iag-disability-inclusion-partnership
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