Food systems governance can be understood as “the ability of actors to steer the food systems to achieve food security, enhance resilience, facilitate adaptation, or to instigate transformation and involves not only the actors and activities of the food system itself but also the actors and activities of related domains such as land use, conservation, energy and water resource management, poverty, and human development.” (Delaney A., et al, 2018)

However, beyond more technical analyses of technological innovations or the impact of changing production or consumption regimes, there is still insufficient understanding on how to steer highly complex and multi-dimensional food systems towards transformation. This transdisciplinary research project is reviewing food system governance approaches in selected partner countries in order to inform Germany's international support for food systems transformation. The project is implemented in three key phases:

Scoping phase: The focus of the first project year is on reviewing the experience of the One World, No Hunger Special Initiative (SEWOH) and drawing broad insights for food systems governance. Undertaken in close consultation with development cooperation actors and SEWOH implementing organizations, the aim is to create a common understanding of food systems transformation and how these processes can best be governed.  

Analysis of transformation processes: The United Nations Food Systems Summit in 2021 served to galvanize international attention around transformation of agri-food systems as a new political goal. However, it remains unclear how this global aspiration can be translated into concrete actions, especially at the national and sub-national levels. Building on in-depth case studies, the second phase of the project aims to better understand, and document, processes towards food systems transformation. This analysis will further explore the requisite political structures and steering instruments for effective food systems governance, with a focus on: how to initiate and sustain transformative processes; “who needs to be at the table”; and the role of external support. 

Food Systems Transformation Academy: Knowledge gathered over the three-year project will be further consolidated and shared through a proposed Food Systems Transformation Academy. The Academy will serve as a platform to develop a common understanding of food systems transformation, promote knowledge exchange, and contribute to the implementation of more inclusive and sustainable food systems.