Food systems and agroecology

The "Food Systems and Agroecology" thematic group brings together the majority of the partners of the CoRe II program. It aims to promote the sharing of learning and practices, the mutual strengthening of capacities and the deployment of influence actions, in a logic of complementarity and capitalization between projects.

The group is structured into three subgroups , sharing a common objective of regularly engaging in dialogue about their work and collectively producing knowledge.

Subgroup “Food Systems and the Right to Food”

Initiated by the Secours Catholique – Caritas France program "Ensemble Bien Vivre Bien Manger" (Together, Living Well, Eating Well) , this subgroup is part of the ongoing actions to change perceptions about hunger and food insecurity, denounce the dysfunctions of the food system and include the right to food in the political debate.

CoRe II helps to strengthen ties with international partners, including ACLO (Bolivia) and Caritas Kaolack (Senegal) , building on the synergies identified during CoRe I.

The subgroup aims to:

develop a common narrative linking food system transformation, food sovereignty and the right to food;
build a multi-scale advocacy strategy (local, national and international);
strengthen the capacities of committed leaders and spokespeople ;
to promote exchanges and cross-experiments between French delegations and international partners.

Planned actions include an international seminar, podcast production, "local-local" learning meetings and dissemination of learning.

Subgroup “Agroecology”

Led by partners in the Sahel (Togo, Benin, Mauritania and Senegal), this subgroup follows on from CoRe I and aims to generalize agroecological practices among the communities supported.

The work is structured around:

the exchange of technical expertise (use of compost, valorization and marketing of agroecological products);
meetings and exchange visits between sites, in connection with regional and international organizations;
advocacy actions, including the feasibility study of an agroecology fair and the deployment of multi-scale advocacy in the Sahel.

Interregional exchanges are also planned with Latin America (particularly Brazil) and Asia (Bangladesh), focusing on agroecological practices and alternatives to chemical inputs.

Subgroup “Territorial Markets”

Originating from participatory action research on common goods conducted in Latin America during CoRe I, this subgroup focuses on the role of territorial markets in a just ecological transition. These markets, rooted locally and regulated by territorial actors, offer an alternative to conventional agri-food chains dominated by extraterritorial actors.

Action research on territorial markets aims to:

highlight the positive effects of territorial markets;
analyze the obstacles to their development (public policies, organizational capacities, etc.);
to articulate approaches to economic rights , food sovereignty and climate justice , while valuing the role of peasant organizations, particularly women and young people.

Activities include methodological training, community workshops, interviews, writing workshops and a regional workshop in Latin America.

The main deliverables will be case studies, a publication, photo reports and international exchanges, notably at the National Agroecology Meeting in Brazil (2027).