Governance of food systems transformation

Co-creating knowledge on governance approaches for food systems transformation

"The world now produces enough food to feed its population. The problem is not simply technical. It is a political and social problem. It is a problem of access to food supplies, of distribution, and of entitlement. Above all it is a problem of political will."

- Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Former UN Secretary-General (1992-1996)

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.
Project Name
Governance of food systems transformation
Duration
2022-2024
Team

News & Blog Posts

UNFSS Stocktaking Moment: Empowering Civil Society for Inclusive Food Systems Transformation
Blog Post

UNFSS Stocktaking Moment: Empowering Civil Society for Inclusive Food Systems Transformation

Highlights of UNFSS Stocktaking Moment - side event on civili society actors and marginalized groups in governance of food systems transformation.
Food systems governance in Kenya: leaving no one behind
Blog Post

Food systems governance in Kenya: leaving no one behind

Reflections from the National Agriculture Summit – July 2023
Empowering Food Systems Actors: A Pathway to Just Governance
News

Empowering Food Systems Actors: A Pathway to Just Governance

Effecting transformative change by dynamically connecting the global and local levels through a series of events, transitioning theory into action.
Navigating digitalization in disaster risk reduction
Blog Post

Navigating digitalization in disaster risk reduction

Digital technologies initially lauded for emergency response in post-2010 Haiti earthquake, but mismanagement of resources and barriers to local input exposed disconnect with local communities.
Inclusive Governance of Food Systems Transformation: Empowering Food System Actors
Blog Post

Inclusive Governance of Food Systems Transformation: Empowering Food System Actors

Berlin workshop in June 2023 on inclusive food systems governance, emphasizing empowerment of marginalized groups, addressing power imbalances, and fostering collaborations.
Governor’s Day with Farmers – an innovative governance tool to bring more local agri-food actors to the policy table
Blog Post

Governor’s Day with Farmers – an innovative governance tool to bring more local agri-food actors to the policy table

Highlights of the 2nd Governor's Day with Farmers, Kakamega County Kenya

Publications

Scientific Linkages Between Climate Change and (Transboundary) Crop Pest and Disease Outbreaks

Working Paper

Scientific Linkages Between Climate Change and (Transboundary) Crop Pest and Disease Outbreaks

Alexander Müller, Adam Prakash, Elena Lazutkaite, Mark Davis, Ahmed Amdihun and Jully Ouma

Paving the way forward for improved crisis governance

An unfolding global hunger crisis?

Working Paper

An unfolding global hunger crisis?

Alexander Müller, Adam Prakash and Elena Lazutkaite

The developed world must share their grain reserves with countries in need instead of producing biofuels and meat!

Learn more about our activities

Check out our different channels where we publish articles, videos, and analyses of global and local debates

TMG Think Tank for Sustainability consists of TMG Research gGmbH, an independent, non-partisan, non-for-profit organization registered in Berlin (District Court Charlottenburg, HRB 186018 B, USt.-ID: DE311653675) and TMG - Töpfer, Müller, Gaßner GmbH, a private company registered in Berlin (District Court Charlottenburg, HRB 177576 B USt.-ID: DE306832549).

Our main address is EUREF Campus 6-9, 10829 Berlin, Germany.

© 2023 TMG Think Tank for Sustainability. All Rights Reserved.