Shaping Policies for an Agroecological Food System Transformation

Lead Organization:

TMG Research gGmbH

Duration:

11/2024—1/2026

Overview:

The current levels of undernourishment are comparable to those in 2008-2009. At the same time, the agriculture sector is a key driver of biodiversity loss and climate change. Prevailing diets and food environments in many countries lead to significant health externalities. In short, our food systems are not sustainable. 

In search for solutions, scientists, practitioners, and political decision-makers have increasingly begun to pay attention to the concept and practice of agroecology. Due to its holistic and transformative nature, agroecology is being recognized as a promising approach for the transformation of food systems towards sustainability.  

This increased recognition of agroecology is yet to translate into regional, national, and sub-national policy frameworks that support agroecological approaches. In many countries, policies that favor a conventional agricultural development models still persist. This is due to strong resistance by industrial and commercial interests, and insufficient funding for research and education for agroecology.  

To contribute to the support of agroecological policy frameworks and their implementation, McKnight has undergone a strategy refresh of its global crop research program. In a scoping phase, TMG together with McKnight has explored opportunities for implementing the new program goal of “Cultivate resilient food systems globally by bridging farmer-centered agroecological research, action, and influence” with a focus on policy influence.  

Among others, the scoping phase has shown that McKnight is a prime mover in cooperative research between farmers and scientists. Several donors have adopted McKnight’s approach to collaborative research. However, to achieve policy change and to contribute to the implementation of existing agroecological policies in CRFS program regions, it is essential to move from opportunistic policy work to a dedicated policy workstream. With the establishment of a new, dedicated workstream on policy for agroecology, McKnight can spearhead and create leverage for more systematic policy work for agroecology within the global network of organizations supporting agroecology.

Grant Aims:

This project aims to:

  1. Create an agile structure to support actors at local and national levels in engaging with agroecology-related policy efforts.
  2. Develop a strategic framework to guide the policy work of the CRFS program and McKnight Foundation in support of agroecological transformation.
  3. Strengthen the McKnight Foundation’s ability to influence global and cross-national policy and funding flows in support of agroecological systems.

Outputs and Outcomes:

Outputs

  1. Global Policy Hub for Agroecology
    • TMG will co-create a structure for a Global Policy Hub for Agroecology in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
    • TMG will conduct a mapping of key actors involved in agroecological policy-making and invite them to participate in two online workshops.
    • The workshops will focus on co-developing the structure and functions of the Global Policy Hub. Outcomes from the workshops will be compiled into a draft design paper and further refined during a strategic meeting in Portugal in March 2025.
  2. Strategic Framework for CRFS’s Policy Work
    • TMG will work with CRFS and other partners to develop a strategic framework for policy work on agroecological transformations.
    • This framework will outline potential policy engagements and provide McKnight Foundation with a decision-making tool for its future policy work.
    • A convening will be held in March 2025 to kickstart the development of the framework, followed by a mapping of relevant policy processes to inform the framework.
    • The strategic framework will be finalized and presented at UNFCCC COP 30 in Brazil.

Outcomes

  1. Informed Decision-Making for McKnight Foundation
    • McKnight Foundation will be positioned to make informed decisions on the implementation of Strategy 2 of the CRFS: “Influence global and cross-national funding flows, policies, and research norms and agendas to enable agroecological transformation.” This will guide future policy work in agroecology and influence global policy and research priorities.