UNICEF and DBS Foundation Launch Partnership to Strengthen Learning and Child Nutrition in East Nusa Tenggara | Bahasa

Indonesia, 25 Feb 2026 - UNICEF Indonesia and DBS Foundation today announced a two-year partnership to improve the well-being of young children, including education and nutrition, in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

DBS Foundation has committed SGD 3.51 million (approx. USD 2.7 million) to support an integrated programme benefiting children aged 4–12 years in selected Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres and primary schools across the province. Over two years, the programme is planned to reach at least 5,270 direct beneficiaries through both direct support and efforts to strengthen systems. These include children enrolled in ECD centres and primary schools, parents, as well as caregivers, teachers, and school principals.

East Nusa Tenggara continues to face challenges affecting children’s nutrition and education. The programme takes a holistic approach, recognizing that children learn more effectively when early childhood learning is strengthened and nutritional needs are met at the same time. Through this approach, the programme aims to lay a strong foundation in nutrition and education, enabling children to thrive today and to grow and age well in the long term. Implemented in partnership with the national government and key local authorities in NTT, the partnership will also contribute to the strengthening of national and subnational systems. 

“Every child has the right to the best possible start in life,” said Katheryn Bennett, UNICEF Indonesia Chief of Education. “The early years are a critical window to fulfill that obligation. When children are nourished, supported with quality learning opportunities, and surrounded by a protective environment, they are provided with the essential conditions to thrive and reach their full potential. UNICEF continues to support the ongoing efforts by the Government of Indonesia to make this a reality for every child in the country. We are grateful for DBS Foundation’s commitment and partnership with UNICEF in advancing a holistic approach that can deliver lasting benefits for Indonesia’s next generation.”

“At DBS Foundation, we are committed to uplifting vulnerable communities by providing essential needs and fostering financial inclusion. Building a good foundation early on in life is key to helping the children to thrive as they age and progress through different stages of life. This collaboration with UNICEF aims to enable that by enhancing their nutritional status and educational outcomes and reflects DBS Foundation’s commitment to creating impact beyond banking and catalysing sustainable, scalable change. Together with UNICEF, our goal is not only to support thousands of children today, but to help create a system that can break the cycle of disadvantage and deliver enduring impact for future generations,” said Mona Monika, Head of Group Marketing and Communications, PT Bank DBS Indonesia.

Teachers and school principals will be trained and equipped with early childhood learning kits to improve literacy and numeracy. This includes engaging children with locally developed reading materials and school-based gardening initiatives to promote healthy habits. The programme will support child nutrition through interventions such as growth monitoring, deworming, and nutrition awareness.

Parents and caregivers will be equipped with practical knowledge to reinforce healthy eating and early learning practices at home. The programme will also support local and national authorities to strengthen government planning and budget allocation to sustain quality learning and nutrition outcomes in the long term.

Today’s partnership launch brought together senior officials from UNICEF Indonesia and DBS Indonesia, who emphasized that supporting children’s well-being, including their learning and nutrition, is essential to realize their rights and for Indonesia to achieve its 2045 Golden Generation vision.

By the end of the partnership, the programme aims to deliver measurable gains in both education and nutrition. Comprehensive baseline and endline assessments will be conducted using internationally recognized tools to track improvements in literacy, numeracy and nutritional status.




About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org. Follow UNICEF on Twitter and Facebook

About DBS Foundation
Established in 2014, DBS Foundation is committed to uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need. It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters financial inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact. It aims to bring hope to those with less today, so no one is left behind and we can all face the future with confidence.

In 2024, DBS committed up to SGD 1 billion dollars over the next decade to support vulnerable communities. It also pledged to contribute 1.5 million employee volunteer hours over the same period.

With ageing societies becoming a pressing concern, DBS Foundation is intensifying efforts to shape mindsets and spark interventions – so that regardless of life stage or circumstance, there is opportunity to age with dignity, purpose & joy.

Together with an ecosystem of like-minded partners, DBS Foundation seeks to create impact that goes beyond banking, beyond borders, and beyond generations.

For more information, please visit: www.dbs.com/dbsfoundation. Follow DBS Foundation on LinkedIn and Instagram.