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Sustainable agrifood systems in the Mediterranean

Levers for transformation








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FAO, CIHEAM, PRIMAFoundation and UfM. 2023. Sustainableagrifood systems in the Mediterranean Levers for transformation. Rome, FAO



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    Book (stand-alone)
    Pathways for agrifood systems transformation and regional cooperation in the Mediterranean 2024
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    Sustainable agrifood systems are crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, yet structural inequalities and recent crises underscore the urgent need for transformative change. This report focuses on the Mediterranean region, examining challenges and opportunities for agrifood systems transformation within its unique socio-economic and political context. Drawing on global and regional momentum, the report identifies barriers hindering transformation, proposes policy recommendations, and highlights opportunities for regional cooperation. It leverages insights from the UN Food Systems Summits and a typological approach to categorize countries based on their agrifood systems and economic development status.The analysis reveals diverse challenges but also positive attributes such as dietary traditions and biodiversity. While most initiatives prioritize defining goals and establishing support ecosystems, there's a need for greater policy coherence and governance mechanisms. The report identifies strategies to address these gaps, including providing policy guidance, expanding collaborative networks, enhancing data management, and unlocking sustainable finance.Ultimately, an integrated approach that harmonizes various agrifood systems, aligns with local realities, and strengthens partnerships is essential for transformative change. By leveraging existing initiatives, expanding collaboration, and addressing unique regional challenges, the report charts a united pathway towards sustainable agrifood systems in the Mediterranean, fostering prosperity and resilience.
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    Policy brief
    Agrifood systems transformation in Mediterranean cities
    Opportunities for collaborative action and shared learning
    2024
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    This technical brief aims to provide an overview of urban agrifood systems in the Mediterranean region and propose possible ways forward to collaboratively transform them. The brief is based on a study carried out by FAO in partnership with Let’s Food, which mapped and categorized over 300 urban food actions in the Mediterranean region, analysing the actors involved, and the topics and trends of agrifood initiatives. The study also conducted agrifood systems assessments in nine cities of interest, revealing common challenges and opportunities for urban agrifood systems in the region, and proposes five transformative food action areas to accelerate the transition towards sustainable urban agrifood systems, based on existing good practices in the region. The brief suggests to build mechanisms for shared learning that would leverage existing experiences and relationships with established organizations, networks and programmes, and facilitate dialogue and collaboration among Mediterranean countries and stakeholders to ultimately apply systems approaches in the development of integrated local agrifood policies and transformative food actions.
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    Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet
    Food waste management and circular economy in Mediterranean cities
    Webinar outcomes
    2022
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    During this webinar, organized by the SFS-MED Platform and held on 25 May 2022, stakeholders from across the Mediterranean shared practical experiences of their engagement in circular economy practices for food waste management at urban/local level. Tackling food waste and circularity from diverse angles of the Mediterranean food systems, they reflected on success factors and challenges, discussing ways to facilitate partnerships and replication of solutions across the Mediterranean. The discussion was instrumental in demonstrating how food waste management and circular economy can be levers for sustainable food systems. A circular economy approach to food waste would enable to recognize and maintain the value and utility of food products, nutrients and resources for as long as possible, minimizing resource use and upcycling food waste and by-products. In this regard, cities can act as hubs of innovation and connectivity transforming food by-products into more valuable materials. Food waste management and circularity are key entry points for local governments to integrate food systems into local plans and actions. To do so, fostering multi-stakeholder approaches is paramount, so as to synergize and establish a collaborative ecosystem among local governments, civil society, research centres, private sector, international organizations, investors, etc. This cannot happen without education, information and knowledge sharing that enable to train, raise awareness and change the perspective/mind-set of local stakeholders. Last, but not least, this process shall be accompanied by increased investments and innovation.

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