Integrating a food systems approach in CCA, UNSDCF and joint programming
Figure 8. The Cooperation Framework cycle
Source: UNSDG. 2019. United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework – Internal guidance. New York, USA, United Nations.
https://unsdg.un.org/sites/default/files/2022-06/UN%20Cooperation%20Framework%20Internal%20Guidance%20--%201%20June%202022.pdf
Each of the different UNSDCF phases are good entry points for integrating food systems into the UNSDCF. Integrating goes beyond simply mentioning food systems. It requires a systemic approach that positions food systems as a cross-cutting issue with potential to impact on multiple development outcomes. By doing this, every UNSDCF phase, from analysis to monitoring and evaluation, will prioritize examining how food system issues intersect with, and contribute to, other national priorities. This section draws from and builds on existing guidance, such as mainstreaming gender, nutrition, environment and climate change, and disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, into UNSDCFs. Key questions that can help you reflect on how to integrate food systems in the different phases include:
Analysis phase
- Who are the food systems focal points in the UNCT and specialists in UN agencies that will be consulted and involved at the early stage of the process?
- How does the CCA examine national and subnational food systems to identify their contribution to national development outcomes and their interconnections to other agendas (see section 2), considering possible trade-offs and synergies? Is there potential to generate evidence on these synergies and potential trade-offs, along with the identification of new opportunities?
- How does the CCA analyse stakeholders (see section 3) across food systems and their interests/influence, as well as power dynamics, in relation to national development goals? Does the analysis take into consideration vulnerable groups, gender equality, and the role of women in food systems?
- Is the contribution of food systems to achieving the relevant SDGs analysed and explicitly highlighted?
- Does the CCA outline governance structures for food systems, detailing multisectoral and multistakeholder arrangements at national and subnational levels, including management, oversight, coordination, and/or reporting mechanisms?
- How does the CCA examine the national vision on food systems and its alignment with existing policy frameworks, both sectoral and cross-sectoral? Is there a comprehensive national plan or strategy on food systems in place, including priorities, targets, strategies, indicators, outcomes and outputs such as a national pathway for food systems transformation?
- Have the capacity and investment (see section 4b) needs to transform food systems, including government representatives at all levels, United Nations agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders, been assessed and identified?
- How will lessons from past food systems initiatives in the country, both by individual UN agencies and by the UN system collectively, be analyzed and incorporated into the UNSDCF formulation?
Development phase
- How does the theory of change articulated in the UNSDCF account for the interconnectedness between food systems and other key transitions (see section 2) such as climate change, biodiversity loss and social protection?
- Are the relevant ministries and other food systems’ stakeholders engaged in the development process? Involving food systems’ stakeholders ensures that plans are informed by real-world perspectives and experiences, increasing the likelihood of success and sustainability. Additionally, engaging relevant stakeholders (see section 3) helps in identifying opportunities to add value to national development planning and budget cycles by ensuring that development initiatives consider all elements of the food system to ensure impact on its multiple goals.
- Are there specific food system-related national targets to be achieved, and how will they be reflected in the UNSDCF? This can guide strategic interventions, enhancing measurability and accountability, aligning with SDGs, facilitating resource allocation, supporting evidence-based decision-making, encouraging stakeholder engagement, demonstrating commitment to transformation, addressing urgent challenges while keeping a long-term sight.
- Are the proposed strategies and outcomes not only addressing immediate challenges but also actively dismantling power imbalances within food systems, promoting equity and inclusivity for all stakeholders? Are women, Indigenous communities, smallholder farmers and other marginalized groups adequately considered in shaping outcomes?
- Was a discussion organized (e.g. workshop) among the UNCT to reflect on possible entry points, (see section 4), building on ongoing initiatives, to transform food systems and achieve the proposed outcomes through UNSDCF implementation, as a preparation for joint programming?
- Is there a food systems investment case (see section 4b) in place in the country? This can help strategically allocate resources, inform decision-making, enhance collaboration, align with national priorities, measure outcomes, attract funding, build resilience, and advocate for policy reforms, ultimately contributing to the achievement of the broader SDGs.
- Are there specific food system-related national targets to be achieved, and how will they be reflected in the UNSDCF? This can guide strategic interventions, enhancing measurability and accountability, aligning with SDGs, facilitating resource allocation, supporting evidence-based decision-making, encouraging stakeholder engagement, demonstrating commitment to transformation, addressing urgent challenges while keeping a long-term sight.
- What are new joint UN initiatives specific to food systems arising? Who are the key stakeholders already engaged in food systems initiatives in the country (UN agencies and their counterparts in government agencies, NGOs, private sector, research institutions)? How can new joint initiatives leverage existing partnerships and expertise?
- Do the proposed joint programmes align with the priorities outlined in the UNFSS+2 Call to Action?
Implementation phase
- Does the UNSDCF outline how to plan and use resources efficiently when targeting interventions to support food systems together? Does the UNSDCF provide a roadmap for coordinating interventions aimed at supporting food systems to ensure efficient utilization of resources. This would include specific steps, timelines and responsibilities for different UN agencies involved in the process.
- What are the available strategies and plans for securing technical assistance, including sourcing experts, identifying resources and funding, and implementing mutual accountability mechanisms on food systems?
Results phase
- How do the results framework and related indicators reflect achievements expected in supporting food systems transformation? For example, The food systems countdown report 2023 provides 50 indicators to monitor food systems under five themes, namely: (1) diets, nutrition and health; (2) environment, natural resources and production; (3) livelihoods, poverty and equity; (4) governance; and (5) resilience.
- Does the monitoring and evaluation framework sufficiently address the specific characteristics and challenges of food systems, ensuring that the best practices and lessons learned are effectively documented and disseminated to support iterative management? Consequently, how will initiatives and projects within food systems integrate recent insights on emerging challenges, risks, vulnerabilities, costs and benefits?
- Does the monitoring and evaluation framework incorporate foresight strategies to predict and prepare for changes in food systems, whether caused by internal factors within the food system or by external influences? Is there a strategy to incorporate regular specific discussions where the UNCT reviews its activities and progress on food systems transformation? This could be focused conversations on how well the team is helping the country to advance the transformation of food systems, while evaluating whether the efforts undertaken by the UNCT followed a systems approach. This guide and the key questions proposed could be used to guide the design and implementation of such sessions.
The process of integrating food systems into UNSDCFs: lessons from practice
In recent times, countries have been striving to incorporate food systems into their UNSDCFs. However, there is no single best method or approach identified for this integration due to the complexity and multifaceted nature of food systems, which varies across different country contexts. Madagascar is among the nations that have made efforts to integrate food systems into their UNSDCF. In this section, we will draw upon Madagascar's experience and the preceding sections of this guide to offer elements that could be beneficial for effectively integrating a food systems approach into UNSDCFs. It is important to note that this is not a step-by-step process to be followed rigidly, but rather it provides guiding principles that can be adjusted and tailored to meet specific needs.
- Building a shared understanding
Convene diverse stakeholders. Engage government representatives, UN agencies, civil society organizations, private sector actors, and researchers. This fosters collective reflection and ensures all perspectives are considered within the food system.
Through workshops and discussions, collaboratively define the specific challenges and opportunities within your country's food system. - Adopting a systems thinking approach and incorporating foresight strategies
Similar to Madagascar's CCA week, utilize systems thinking tools to map out the interconnections between different elements of the food system. This fosters an understanding of how interventions in one area might impact others. Causal loop diagrams or system dynamics modelling can be helpful.
Do not just analyse the current situation; consider potential future scenarios. Explore how emerging trends like climate change, population growth, and technological advancements might affect your food system in the coming years. - Identifying synergies and trade-offs
Map interactions and identify potential synergies and trade-offs between existing policies and programmes that impact the food system. Look for opportunities to leverage existing initiatives and avoid unintended consequences of new interventions.
Facilitate workshops where stakeholders can brainstorm solutions that address trade-offs and capitalize on synergies. This collaborative approach can lead to more effective and integrated food system strategies. - Developing a theory of change
Leveraging the insights from systems mapping, develop causal loop diagrams to illustrate the cause-and-effect relationships within the food system. This will inform the development of your theory of change.
Construct a clear and concise theory of change that outlines how interventions will contribute to achieving desired food system outcomes. The theory of change should be based on the identified synergies and trade-offs, and the country's specific context. - Fostering policy coherence and monitoring progress
Review existing policies across different sectors (agriculture, environment, health, etc.) to identify gaps and inconsistencies that hinder a holistic food systems approach.
Policy recommendations: Develop recommendations for aligning and harmonizing policies to create a more coherent and supportive environment for food systems transformation. - Building capacity
Invest in training and capacity building for stakeholders involved in food systems transformation. This ensures everyone has the necessary knowledge and skills to implement the UNSDCF effectively.
Get inspired by how taking a systems approach and involving multiple stakeholders resulted in a new joint programme in Madagascar.
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