Summary of the Agroecology Coalition Strategy (2024-2030)

Background

The Agroecology Coalition, established in response to the 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS), aims to transform food systems through agroecology. Recognizing the interlinked crises in food, climate, and biodiversity, the Coalition leverages a collective effort from its diverse membership, which includes 48 governments, three intergovernmental regional commissions, two sub-national administrations, and nearly 250 organizations, including civil society, farmers, Indigenous peoples, research organizations, UN bodies, international organizations, and SMEs.

Situational Analysis

1. Growing Recognition: Agroecology has gained significant traction over the last decade, bolstered by the FAO International Agroecology Symposia and influential global reports from bodies such as the Committee on World Food Security’s High-Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (CFS HLPE-FSN). These developments have established agroecology as a science, practice, and movement essential for food systems transformation.

2. Holistic Food Systems Approach: The discourse on food systems has shifted to encompass the entire system, including production, storage, processing, transport, retail, consumption, and waste. This comprehensive approach is reflected in international agreements and reports, highlighting the role of food systems in climate change and biodiversity loss.

3. Financial and Policy Needs: Transforming food systems through agroecology requires significant changes in financing structures. Traditional funding mechanisms are inadequate for supporting the systemic, multifunctional nature of agroecology. There is a need for holistic, flexible, and long-term funding approaches that empower small-scale farmers and align with innovative metrics and modalities.

4. Competing Models: There are divergent views on sustainable food systems. Some models focus on incremental efficiency improvements in conventional agriculture, while agroecology advocates for a systemic transformation addressing the entire food chain and promoting sustainable practices.

Accelerating Transformation – An Action Agenda

The Coalition's strategy includes four strategic objectives and one cross-cutting objective: 

1. Knowledge Co-Creation and Exchange: Facilitating the sharing of diverse agroecological knowledge through international and regional gatherings, and supporting local and national initiatives.

2. Investment in Agroecology: Promoting increased and diversified investments from governments, donor agencies, and private investors to support agroecological practices.

3. Supportive Policies Advocacy: Advocating for policies that support agroecology, ensuring that food systems strategies are integrated into national policies on climate action and biodiversity. 

4. Market Pathways Promotion: Supporting and promoting market pathways that benefit agroecological practices, ensuring fair and sustainable market access for small-scale farmers and producers.

5. Member Support and Engagement: Strengthening and engaging Coalition members to amplify their efforts and ensure effective implementation of agroecological practices.

Governance and Coordination

The Coalition acts as a leader, catalyst, convener, facilitator, knowledge broker, and supporter. By uniting members in collective action, the Coalition advocates for policy shifts, investments, and market changes necessary for agroecological transformation. It also plays a crucial role in organizing international gatherings and facilitating knowledge exchange among members.

Strategic Communications

The Coalition emphasizes the importance of strategic communications to raise awareness and build support for agroecology. This involves leveraging various media platforms and communication strategies to highlight the benefits and successes of agroecological practices and the Coalition's efforts.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

A robust MEL framework is essential for tracking progress, learning from experiences, and adapting strategies to ensure the effective implementation of agroecological practices. This involves setting clear metrics and evaluation criteria, regularly reviewing progress, and incorporating feedback from members and stakeholders.

Annual Secretariat Implementation Plan

The Coalition’s Secretariat develops and executes an annual implementation plan that aligns with the strategic objectives. This plan includes specific actions, timelines, and responsibilities to ensure that the Coalition's goals are met and its impact is maximized. 

Conclusion

The Agroecology Coalition’s 2024-2030 strategy outlines a comprehensive and collaborative approach to transforming food systems through agroecology. By leveraging the collective efforts of its diverse membership, advocating for supportive policies, promoting investments, and facilitating knowledge exchange, the Coalition aims to create sustainable, resilient, and equitable food systems globally. 

Disclaimer: This summary has been generated by an AI language model and is intended for informational purposes only. For the most precise and detailed information, please refer to the original document.