Key recommendations and resources (governance)

Key recommendations

• Analyse power relations on a continual basis and adapt food transformation actions accordingly – use political economy analysis to analyse stakeholder interactions and power-related aspects. This is also important for unpacking the ‘black-box’ of political will and developing food systems actions that are realistic and locally-led. Political economy analysis also provides a means of pinpointing champions who can drive change and identifying potential blockages to change. The political economy of food systems changes rapidly so make sure that the analysis is done on a regular basis to assess for new windows of opportunity and plan scenarios at time of political shifts.
• Establish multi-stakeholder platforms (MSPs) – MSPs allow for a diverse range of stakeholders across different sectors and localities to come together and work towards policy coherence and consensus. These MSPs should be inclusive ensuring that everyone, including the most marginalised and vulnerable, have a voice and are heard so no one is left behind in food systems transformation. MSPs
• Strengthen transparency and accountability mechanisms – enhancing transparency and reinforcing accountability structures in food systems tackles corrupt practices and drives more equitable, efficient and sustainable food production and distribution. Ensuring transparency in value chains informs all food systems actors on the prices charged and profits taken and allows for a fair price to be paid to the down-stream supply chain actors, particularly farmers. Digital tools (potentially including artificial intelligence)
• Support locally-led and decentralised decision-making - when political responsibility is transferred to local governments, accompanied by adequate budget allocation, it facilitates the development of food systems solutions that are not only locally relevant but also more effective.
• Enhance organisational development of food systems actors – organisational development includes resource mobilisation, financial accounting, leadership issues, among others, to ensure that food systems actors can effectively and sustainably fulfil their role in the food system

Recommended reading

• SDC’s Transversal/Cross-cutting Governance approach:
• https://www.sdc-pge.ch/en/transversal-themes-governance
• SDC’s Governance Tools, including Political Economy Analysis, anti-corruption toolkit and tools related to monitor and report Governance:
• https://www.sdc-pge.ch/en/tools-governance
• SDC’s Governance Reference Indicators (measuring all aspects of this paper), as well as SAP Governance Policy Marker:
• https://www.sdc-pge.ch/en/pge-at-sdc

Glossary

Accountability – Accountability refers to the control over power exercised within state and society. Power holders have to inform about, explain and justify their decisions, and they are sanctioned if their behaviour does not comply with their duties. Effectiveness + efficiency – The performance of state institutions is goal-oriented. Financial and human resources are used in an optimised way, without waste, corruption or delays.

Governance - The political process through which public and/or private authority is created and exercised. It is the way in which core public and/or private functions are performed, goods are produced and distributed, and power is exercised and negotiated by a multitude of governmental and non-governmental actors at multiple levels (from the sub-national to the national state level to the global level).

Governance in food systems – Processes and actor constellations that shape decision-making and activities related to the production, distribution and consumption of food. It’s about: negotiating, implementing and evaluating collective priorities of food systems transformation while building shared understanding of synergies and trade-offs among diverse sectors, scale and stakeholders.

Non-discrimination (Inclusion) – Nobody is left behind, opportunities are equal and dignity for everyone is ensured. All genders have the same rights, without distinction or exclusion.

Partner governance – State and non-state partners comply with governance principles ensuring that their impact is not violating individual and collective rights and that they can be held accountable for their actions.

Participation – Participation refers to the voice that stakeholders and the population at large must have in public decision-making, which is crucial to ensure public institutions become truly responsive to their needs.

Transparency – The public – or at least those affected by a decision – must obtain information from the decision-makers about the rationale, criteria, and expected impacts of their decisions.

Rule of Law - State institutions and power holders must abide by international and national legal standards – rights and obligations – that are equally enforced towards all citizens (and residents).