Programme budget

A budget is an important tool that will encourage you and your team to assess the costs associated with planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating an infant and young child feeding social behaviour change (IYCF SBCC) campaign. Budgets will vary, and the cost of developing and launching an IYCF SBCC will depend on the programme location, media types used, creative agency fees, staff and consultant fees, plus other factors.

1. Determine the currency that will be used for your budget. This will usually depend upon the funding source for your programme. For example, a locally-funded programme may use the local currency. However, a programme that is sponsored at the international level is likely to be in another currency, often USD or EUR. If it’s the former and not in your local currency, you will need to consider how to move between currencies and account for changes in the exchange rate to ensure your costs are realistic. In most cases, external budgets like those shared with the donor or funder are in the award currency, and internal budgets are maintained in the local currency.
2. Consider planned activities as part of your campaign and the timeline needed. You may not have a lot of specifics at the beginning, but you should think about whether you plan to include mass media channels, for e.g., television, radio, printed materials, community-based activities or other activities. While the creative agency will guide you on which campaign activities are most relevant in your location, the cost of national-level television or radio spots or commercials can be substantial. Consider costs also associated with staffing; consultant services; creative agency work; materials, for e.g., equipment, tools, printed materials; overhead costs, for e.g., meeting space, administrative support; transportation, for e.g., gas, taxi, meals, accommodation; facilitator or participant incentives; and training where relevant. In most programmes, monitoring and evaluation activities should be included in budget planning.
3. Set aside funds to accommodate your budget. Some creative agencies may require deposits up front, though you should expect that most of the budget will be used during creative development and implementation. Monitor your budget against the actual expenses you incur throughout. You will need to carefully track and document all expenses via receipts, invoices, timesheets, etc. You should regularly compare your actual spending patterns with the budget amount, alongside monitoring monthly.