2025 community plans!

There is a lot of energy to do more on biodiversity and food systems. Taking a systems approach surfaces biodiversity as a critical leverage point to build resilience and address multiple challenges of food systems (see figure below). Moreover, in the urgency of climate change, biodiversity management is promoted as a top agri-food system climate solution in the National Determined Contributions (NDCs)(COP29, November 2024).  

Four main activities for 2025

1. Fit-for-purpose partnership
   We will facilitate a fit-for-purpose partnership and an open-space that helps connect biodiversity and food systems actors and networks. Communications will be brought together in the NFP Connects space Biodiversity & Food systems. We organize one network call per quarter, that is open to all interested parties. A first network call is upcoming for March.
   --> Call to action: Let us know if you would like to join! The link to register can be found here
   
2. Use case series
   In an interactive process, we will document, share and bundle a series of ten diverse, concrete use cases where biodiversity is being integrated in food systems programs, businesses, policies and/or financial flows, or vice versa. This series of use cases will be complemented by a template, a guide and shared glossary, to inspire and support food and biodiversity actors to strengthen biodiversity-food system connections and related actions in their activities.
   --> Call to action: Let us know if you want to share an interesting use case.
3. Capacity strengthening & network building

   We are integrating biodiversity-food system linkages in a series of capacity and networking building activities. For example, we’re contributing, with support of some of this communities partners, specific biodiversity-food systems packages in the food systems e-course and the student innovation challenge.  We will identify other opportunities to contribute to over the year and for that we would also like your input.
   --> Call to action: If you have a capacity or networking activity in which you would like to strengthen the biodiversity-food systems connections.
   

4. Incubation Process
   We will be developing and facilitating an incubation process that supports anchoring biodiversity-food system linkages in existing action coalitions, partnerships and programs. Through an open challenge process, programs, partnerships and coalitions can then apply to participate in such incubation process, supported by the community of partners.
   --> Call to action: If you want to strengthen the biodiversity-food systems synergies in your program, business or partnerships, let us know what your needs are.

Through these activities and partnerships, we hope to contribute to

• enhanced mutual understanding of concepts, interlinkages, roles, and visions, among biodiversity & food systems communities

• agency, capacity and complementarity of food system actors to collaborate and act upon biodiversity - food systems interlinkages

• changes in views, structures and practices that contribute to stronger synergies between food and nutrition security and biodiversity.

More information
You can also find more background information on the 2025 plans in two different formats (long read or slide deck) and longer term theory of change here.

Are you interested in joining us and learning together in this process? Do reach out. We look forward to connecting and mutually empowering each other.