How can FAO and CSOs work together to regain the momentum lost and work jointly to "leave no one behind”?
I will start this off by expressing appreciation for this consultative process at this time. Opportunities for collaborative work should be localized, hence a focus on the promotion of country level processes. This can be achieved through having more regular and issue-specific interactions with CSOs at the country level.
Another opportunity that can be leveraged is the drawing on the expertise FAO in specific thematic areas to support existing coordinated efforts in improving agri-food systems. For example, FAOs expertise in social protection would be an asset for the promotion of the ILO Policy Guidelines for the Promotion of Decent Work in the Agri-food sector.
What and how can CSOs contribute to such transformation to boost impact on the ground? Please suggest concrete actions.
Impactful contribution through partnership with CSOs should be built on a foundation of practical engagement on either technical or programmatic matters – CSOs come with valuable experience and expertise to contribute to development of good practice/evidence papers that can inform strategy and plans. Below are ways CSOs can contribute to boost impact on the ground;
- CSOs can contribute to filling the gaps that exists in the current projects of FAO for example, setting up systems, tools, and capacities to integrate gender transformative approaches in Farmer Field and Business School Approach.
- CSOs can play a more central role in the implementation of the Food Systems National Pathways. They can be involved to have a true whole-of-community shift to ensure efforts by all actors are directed at supporting transformation.
- To harness collective effort towards impact, FAO should work better at supporting tools, approaches and research findings that are developed by CSOs. That way CSOs would more actively promote tools and products from FOA for example the findings of the latest FAO State of Women in Agriculture. CSOs can work together, with the ministries of agriculture and planning, to adopt some of the recommendations.
Based on your partnering experience, can you share a good example of meaningful engagement with FAO or another UN agency/development partner? Please highlight what/why it worked well in your opinion.
CARE’s collaboration with FAO on developing the guidance note on incorporating Gender Transformative Approaches in programing is one of such examples of meaningful engagement. Based on this initial engagement we see scope to work with FAO on capacity building of the country/regional teams on rolling out that guidance document. CARE also has ongoing collaboration with the Farmer Field School (FFS) team at FAO on strengthening gender and MEL in FFS. Both institutions have been able to push these engagements forward through dedication of key technical staff to coordinate the dialogue.
At present, what are the most significant challenges CSOs face in their engagement with FAO? What could FAO do to address some of those challenges? Please provide concrete examples.
FAO has not been very consistent and transparent with engagements with CSOs at CO level. The extent of openness with engagement with INGOs and (more importantly) CSOs, varies from country to country.
FAO should have clear guidelines for Country representatives to fully engage civil society, within the following domains.
• Design processes of FAO strategic plans at county level
• Policy dialogue processes with host country governments
• Co participation in global events, conferences, negotiation rounds etc. at global or regional level
• Engaging in the implementation of FAO funded and/or led programs of any kind
Active engagement of FAO Country Offices in the processes to advocacy for Farmer Field Schools/Farmer Field and Business Schools adoption by ministries of agriculture that CARE is promoting.
• Active engagement of FAO Country Offices in the implementation of the DIESTs program
• Active engagement of FAO in the food systems dialogues/implementation pathways
• Active engagement of FAO in the implementation of the guidelines on decent work and living income in food systems
• Active engagement of FAO in the implementation of the (upcoming) CFS Voluntary Guidelines on Gender Equality and Women’s and Girls’ Empowerment
FAO needs to set indicators of success that include partnerships at national level.
Mme Agnes Loriba