Interconnections at a glance (governance)

Interconnection between food systems and governance at a glace

• Governance in food systems refers to processes, structures and actor constellations that shape decision-making and activities related to the production, distribution and consumption of food. It is about negotiating, implementing and evaluating collective priorities of food systems transformation while building a shared understanding of synergies and trade-offs among diverse sectors, scales and stakeholders. (See United Nations Food Systems Summit (2021) Policy Brief - Governance of Food Systems Transformation UNFSS 2021 Governance of Food Systems Transformation). It recognises that citizen–state relations are shaped by established formal and informal rules, institutions and processes through which power is exercised, and needs, interests and differences are articulated, negotiated and mediated.
• Food system challenges are governance challenges. Food system challenges such as ensuring food security for all, environmental sustainability and sustainable use of natural resources are complex, inter-connected and multi-scalar. Changes in one area of the food system can directly or indirectly affect other areas. Applying a governance approach ensures that food system transformation is more integrated, systemic and inclusive. This involves strengthening coordination across different sectors and levels of government (e.g. local, national and global) and ensuring multiple stakeholders are involved in decision-making processes, especially those typically left behind, such as marginalised and vulnerable groups.
• SDC applies guiding principles on good governance to strengthen food systems. The seven good governance principles are accountability, transparency, rule of law, non-discrimination, participation, effectiveness and efficiency and partner governance (definitions are provided in the glossary at the end of this TIB). Some of these principles are of particular importance for good food systems governance:
  • Participation involves ensuring every actor in the food system has a voice, including those both in the formal and informal sector, and they are heard by powerholders.
  • Non-discrimination (inclusion) ensures that decisions are made that value indigenous knowledge and practices, no one is left behind and women have the same rights as men, without distinction or exclusion. It ensures that gains from food system changes are equitably distributed, and a rights-based approach to food is followed.
  • Transparency allows all food system actors to have access to information, understand the rationale behind decisions and track systems change as well as intervene where necessary.
  • Accountability ensures that powerholders inform, explain and justify their decisions and are sanctioned if their behaviour does not comply with their duties.
  • Partner governance involves enhancing the internal structures, processes and capabilities of food system actors such as leadership and decision-making, resource mobilisation and strategic planning.
• A governance approach also involves unpacking power relations and political will among food systems stakeholders. It enables decision-makers, activists and scientists to assess drivers and blockers of change and determine what is politically feasible for positive food system transformation. For this purpose, proven tools such as Political Economy Analysis (PEA) are used to unpack power relations and understand the black box of ‘political will’ to establish realistic entry-points for food system transformation.